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Institutional Representation
With respect to motor transportation, 2008 was a year of much activity concerning standardization. The purpose of the standards published is to increase safety in the transportation of hazardous materials and waste.
Evidence of that is the publication of the following standards: NOM-003-SCT-2008 (Labeling of Containers and Packaging), NOM-004-SCT-2008 (Identification of Units), NOM-005-SCT-2008 (Emergency Information) and NOM-012-SCT2-2008 (Weights and Dimensions) for which their consistency with the Global Harmonized System was verified.
With respect to the Mexico-U.S. Cross Border Motor Transportation Demonstrative Project, a press release was issued on August 4 wherein it was indicated that the effectiveness of the project is extended until August 31, 2010, giving the opportunity to continue transporting goods in a door-to-door service mode with our most important trading partner.
With respect to railroad transportation, work was carried out in the draft of the NOM-038-SCT2-2008 standard called Common Plan for Emergency Attention. In 2009, the chemical industry and the Ministry of Communications and Transport (SCT, its acronym in Spanish) will work together in this project. Such joint work will contribute to the coordination of efforts by the authorities and service providers.
Audits to Carriers
During 2008, the number of companies that implemented the Responsible Care Management System (SARI, its acronym in Spanish) increased. Their participation corroborates the commitment of the chemical industry to promote on a continuous basis the improvement of health protection, safety and environmental care. The program demands the performance of 34 practices focused on the compliance of the standards' framework.
In the past 18 months, 26 carriers have joined this program and from these, four companies were audited by the Association in 2008.
Regionalization
The Association is very interested in the awareness of companies in the chemical sector and carriers of the legal provisions they must comply with related to transportation such as laws, regulations and standards. With this purpose the following states were visited: Nuevo León, Sinaloa, Jalisco, Mexico, Veracruz and the Federal District (Mexico City).
Training
There was intense activity with respect to training and the number of specialized events held increased about 38% with respect to the past year. This helped increase attendance in about 35% compared with 2007, with a total number of 29 courses given in several regions around the country.
In the international arena, communication with the United States Government was reinforced, specifically with the Department of Transportation (DOT). As a result of such improved communication the course called American Regulations on the Transportation of Hazardous Materials and Waste was given. Also, the 15th National Convention of Logistics and Transportation for the Chemical Industry was held with a 25% increase in attendance.
Ammonia Committee
During this year the Ammonia Committee gave priority to the work related to safety in all the links of the ammonia supply chain, from filling of the tank cars and transportation, to consumption in the various plants that require this product for their operations. To this effect, areas of opportunity were identified with respect to safety, also reinforcing the training of operators.
Ethylene Oxide Committee
In 2008 the work of this Committee concentrated specifically on the supervision and performance of safety procedures for the loading, unloading and transportation of ethylene oxide. In two occasions during this year recommendations were issued with the intention of preventing any omission of controls in the above mentioned procedures.
Statistics
In the past year 79 emergencies arose. From these, 12 occurred in Veracruz, 11 in the state of Mexico, 9 in Tamaulipas, 7 in San Luis Potosí, and so on.
The following were the substances mostly involved: gasoline in 13 emergencies, fuel oil and sulphuric acid in 6, jet fuel in 4.
Theft during transport
In 2008, 52 thefts were reported that represent a considerable increase with respect to the preceding year. About 15 thefts occurred in the state of Mexico, 9 in Tamaulipas, 7 in Veracruz, and 3 in Puebla.
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