OxyChile is commited to the Responsible Care initiative by implementing its 6 codes:
Community information and Emergency reaction
Transport and Distribution
Personnel's Health and Safety
Pollution Prevention
Production Processes Safety
Integral Product Responsibility
In 1991 OxyChile translated the Responsible Care program into Spanish and started its implementation in the Talcahuano plant.
OxyChile has promoted the implementation of this program in our country through ASIQUIM since 1994.
Community Information and Emergency Reaction
OxyChile´s goal is to guarantee safe emergency reaction training the employees and promoting the community' s right to be informed. We are committed to maintaining a dialogue both with the community and the personnel
In 1995 OxyChile presented a plan on Emergency Reaction to the authorities. The plant led its implementation carrying out drills where different community members participated. The company regularly schedules training programs for firefighters and policemen.
Our community advisory panel frequently meets to provide useful relevant information about the company´ s activities, health care, safety and environmental issues.
Transportation and Distribution
OxyChile is committed to minimizing risks in the distribution of chemicals. The company promoted and sponsored Chilean regulations on highway transport of chloride acid, sodium hypochlorite, caustic soda and ferric chloride through INN (Instituto Nacional de Normalización).
Personnel's Health and Safety
OxyChile is always improving working procedures to protect its personnel and visitors' health and safety. We identify, evaluate risks and prevent unsafe conduct and conditions.
OxyChile utilizes the same safety program as in the USA plants. This program is divided into 4 main areas: Safety, Emergency Reaction, Industrial Hygene and Risk Engineering. The program is audited by our corporation at least every 3 years to guarantee fulfillment.
In 1996, OxyChile was recognized as an "Oxy Star" plant equivalent to OSHA Star for international facilities, certifying that our safety programs are above OSHA standards.
Pollution Prevention
We are committed to reducing the level of air, water and soil polluting agents. The progress reached with this program assures that we continue as leaders in this field. OxyChem's requirements are much more stringent than Chile' s current regulation.
The measures implemented during the last years include:
- Technological switch: In 1991 the mercury cells were substituted by membrane cells. A landfill was built for safe storage of dangerous mercury polluted waste generated by the former plant.
- New fluid treatment plant
- Complete waste description
- Safe sediment disposal from the former boric acid plant
- Constant groundwater monitoring
- Talcahuano' s environmental recovery program
- New inverse osmosis water plant
Production processes safety
OxyChile strives to prevent fires, explosions and chemicals spill. The plant is designed, built and operated in accordance with certified engineering practices. The processes are frequently evaluated and audited to identify and prevent risk.
Integral product responsibility
OxyChile designs, manufactures, sells, distributes, uses and recycles its products protecting the environment, health and safety.
The Company has designed a plan on chlorine handling in order to inform its customers, provide suggestions, minimize risk, answer emergency inquiries and perform all operations observing legal standards.