Please Note:
The information contained in this manual is believed to be reliable and accurate, however, theWorld Paint & Coatings Industry Association (WPCIA) can assume any liability for actions taken or reliance on information contained herein. This is a guidance document only, and no warranty, guarantee or representation is made by the WPCIA as to the correctness or adequacy of any information or recommendation contained herein. Nothing contained herein should be considered legal advice, and legal counsel should be consulted to answer specific legal questions regarding application of the law to you or your organisation.
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Introduction
The technological advances achieved by the industry over the past 50 years have resulted in a wide variety of durable, highly visible and longlasting products, which meet the customer's demand for safety, reliability, and environmental protection. Coatings manufacturers also emphasise environmental protection in new product development, seeking technologies that offer improved product performance along with safety and reduced environmental impact.
Thus, awareness of health, safety and environmental requirements has become an integral part of doing business.
The coatings industry is becoming increasingly diverse. As new technologies and product applications emerge in the marketplace, the industry must adapt and respond quickly to support its customers. Applications such as automotive and marine coatings, decorative paints, and specialist timber finishes have led to the establishment of several large multinational organisations as well as a multitude of smaller companies focusing on a particular line of products or specialty coatings. Regardless of size or product specialty, all companies must effectively integrate health, safety and environmental requirements, while at the same time implement sound business strategies that will provide for expansion and market growth.
Building on this fact, Coatings Care has been developed as a progressive health, safety and environmental initiative which also recognises the need to enhance product integrity and quality.
As part of the coatings industry's ongoing commitment to promoting effective health, safety and environmental practices, Coating Care offers the industry the means to:
more effectively use organisational and management resources for compliance with health, safety and environmental regulations;
integrate consideration of health, safety and environmental resource information in organisation planning and operations;
enhance participation and direction of association activities;
access health, safety and environmental management practices and resources being used or considered on an international basis.
Coatings Care can best be described by detailing how it will support the industry's efforts to manage its health, safety and environmental responsibilities. To this end, Coatings Care anticipates opportunities for:
expanding participation in developing health, safety and environmental standards which will govern the industry;
operating with a uniform health, safety and environmental policy statement;
adhering to management practices identified or developed by the industry association;
developing community outreach efforts to support public involvement; and
identifying and evaluating areas for improvement.
Coatings Care offers participating paint manufacturers the opportunity to pursue a common, effective management approach for their health, safety and environmental programs. In addition, participation in Coatings Care provides a visible commitment by all levels of management to follow best practices in the four areas of particular concern to employees and the public at large, namely, manufacturing processes, health and safety, transport and distribution, and product stewardship.
In today's marketplace, diverse and often conflicting requirements for protecting worker health, safety and the environment may lead organisations to pursue unfocused and overlapping management strategies. Participation in Coatings Care will allow these firms to address their health, safety and environmental responsibilities through a consistent set of management practices. Coatings Care also offers the opportunity to apply this program on an international basis throughout the global marketplace.
An additional feature of Coatings Care is that it is supportive and complimentary to the Responsible Care program of the chemical industry. Thus, companies which fulfil a commitment to Responsible Care are acknowledged as having met all of the requirements of Coatings Care
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Participation
Whether measured in terms of expanded or shared resources, improved communications, or enhanced industry performance with respect to health, safety and environmental measures participation in Coatings Care is vital to its success.
The real benefits of Coatings Care will become evident as APED members make a commitment to become participants in the program. The WPCIA has decided to implement the program on a voluntary basis. However, implementation of Coatings Care requires the firm commitment of top management to successfully carry out the management practices identified.
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Policy Statement
WPCIA members will support, develop and promote the Coatings Care program in an effort to protect worker and community health and safety, as well as the environment. In particular, participating paint manufacturers shall:
Promote efforts to protect employees, customers, the public and the environment;
Provide relevant information on the safe use and disposal of industry products to customers, and make such information available to the public on request;Make protection of health, safety and the environment an early and integral part of the organisational planning process;
Comply with all legal requirements which affect operations and products;
Be responsive to community concerns;
Assist governments in the development of equitable and attainable standards. UP |
