Chemical Distributors Report Decrease in Vehicular Accidents
The National Association of Chemical Distributors’ (NACD) member companies announced reportable vehicular accidents or spills decreased by almost 19 percent, and recordable injuries due to vehicular accidents or transportation spills decreased by 23.5 percent from 2006, according to the just-released 2007 NACD Membership & Performance Data Report.
These reporting results of 100 percent of the NACD membership are particularly note-worthy because NACD member companies increased their travel by almost 4.5 percent from 2006 to 175 million miles in owned and leased vehicles, and increased their total shipment weight to 71.7 billion pounds, a 29 percent increase from 2006. OSHA reportable injuries decreased in each of the last three years and there was one reported fatality, the same as in both 2006 and 2005. In 2007, NACD member companies accounted for $19.7 billion in sales at 1,554 sites, employing 20,812 employees.
“NACD member companies comprise a pivotal link in the U.S. chemical industry supply chain,” said NACD President & COO Chris Jahn. “Our members have demonstrated commitment to improve their environmental, health, safety, and security (EHS&S) areas of operation as a result of the RDP program, and that has translated in positive results for them, as well as the overall well-being of the chemical distribution marketplace. All NACD member and Affiliate companies that successfully comply with RDP are positioned far better to face today’s challenges and tomorrow’s uncertainties.”
NACD began tracking the results of its membership and performance data on a voluntary basis in 2001. In 2005, NACD members voted and accepted the mandatory submission of their annual survey results as a condition of membership. NACD members submit their results, which are processed confidentially by a third-party firm that processes the information and releases the aggregate information to NACD. This information is a means to measure NACD member companies’ progress and continuous improvement through, as well as provide evidence of the benefits of, NACD’s Responsible Distribution ProcessSM (RDP) program to regulators, legislators, the media, community groups, suppliers, and other stakeholders. Successfully demonstrating implementation of EHS&S policies and procedures under RDP’s Code of Management Practice to an independent third-party verifier has been a condition of membership in NACD since 1997. RDP Verification (RDPV) is required once every thirty-six months.