HR0908 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0908 LRB100 20614 MST 36683 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The National Association of Chemical Distributors (NACD) has placed the highest priority on the health, safety, and security of employees, communities, and the environment, and in December 1991, the member companies of NACD undertook as its most important mission the inception of the Responsible Distribution program; and

WHEREAS, NACD celebrates over 25 years of improving safety and performance through Responsible Distribution, a verified environmental, health, safety and security program committed to continuous performance improvement in every phase of chemical storage, handling, transportation, and disposal; and

WHEREAS, Responsible Distribution verification is conducted by an independent, third-party verifier based on the Responsible Distribution Guiding Principles and a Code of Management Practice, and is required of each NACD member and Chemical Handler Affiliate; and

WHEREAS, Responsible Distribution's 6th iteration of the Code of Management Practice requires each member company to have an active program designed to continuously improve safety and reduce incidents in 13 separate areas, including Senior Management Commitment and Risk Management, Compliance Review and Training, Carrier Selection and Private Fleet, Handling and Storage, Job Procedures and Training, Waste Management and Resource Conservation, Emergency Response and Public Preparedness, Community Outreach, Product Stewardship, Internal Audits, Corrective and Preventive Action, Document and Records Control, and Security; and

WHEREAS, The benefits of Responsible Distribution are clearly seen in the statistics; in the past six years, NACD member companies, who are trained and verified in Responsible Distribution have experienced a significant decrease in reportable incidents involving the storage, handling, and transportation of chemicals; incident rates are down by 23% per firm, down by 36% based on miles traveled and 34% based on tons handled; at the same time, overall occupational accident and illness rates were down by just 15.8% according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, with overall chemical wholesaling incidents falling by just 3%; and

WHEREAS, Illinois consumers and businesses are dependent on the safe and efficient distribution of chemical raw materials, intermediates, and final products; Illinois is home to a significant number of NACD member companies located throughout Illinois; and

WHEREAS, NACD and many of its Illinois members work in close cooperation with the Chemical Industry Council of Illinois to provide an effective means for individual companies and organizations engaged in the commerce of chemicals within Illinois to combine talents and resources to build understanding for programs such as Responsible Distribution which foster improved performance and adherence to sound public policies; and

WHEREAS, That people of the State of Illinois are fortunate to be served by an institution of the caliber of NACD and its member companies, which have proven to be a healthy and positive force within the commerce of chemicals; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we commend the National Association of Chemical Distributors and its Illinois members for their over 25-year commitment to Responsible Distribution including community outreach, pollution prevention, and ensuring the safety and security of chemical handling and distribution throughout Illinois and we extend best wishes for continued success in the future; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we applaud the success of voluntary recognition programs like Responsible Distribution as a way to reduce compliance burdens for the State; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to NACD as a symbol of our respect and esteem.