China's chemical firms focus on workplace safety

The president of Dow Corning Greater China said China's chemical companies are changing their attitude about workplace safety and are willing to invest more time and money in it.

Jeremy Burks, who also is chairman of the Association of International Chemical Manufacturers, said the development is encouraging.

Founded in 1988, the association represents more than 50 international chemical enterprises that have major investments in China.

The AICM has closely communicated and exchanged opinions with the National Registration Center for Chemicals on the preparation and revision of Hazardous Chemicals Inventory and other related laws, regulations and standards.

"We promote our members' best practices in China and try to raise workplace safety with China in the global chemical industry," Burks said. "Much chemical expertise and the experience of foreign companies can be applied in China."

Burks said the biggest challenge facing China's chemical industry over worker safety is building on knowledge and expertise.

"Maybe it's not fashionable to choose the work safety sector in the chemical industry in China, but it is really crucial for the companies," he said. "Good safety leads to reliability and quality, which helps with cost-effectiveness."

"Investments in safety will result in a higher return than the companies realize," he said.