Coast Southwest has a primary location in Southern California, so the events of the past few months in Japan have obvious relevance to us, as they ought to for anyone in the business of handling and transporting chemicals. A disaster of the enormity and force of the earthquake and tsunami have the potential to wreak havoc…which is why taking advance safety and security measures is crucial. It’s an object lesson in preparedness.
While there was seemingly mild impact on the chemical industry in Japan, the situation could have been more profound if the quake had happened in another region of the country. The fact that TEPCO, despite its claims of preparedness, has seen so many difficulties with its nuclear plant is evidence of how dangerous and unpredictable circumstances can become.
No amount of regulation or intervention, however well-intentioned, is a substitute for the sense of responsibility and community that practitioners in the private sector bring to their work. So we’d call on colleagues and competitors to be sure they’re following the best practices that are our best bulwark against disaster and mischance.
As members of NACD and practitioners of Responsible Distribution, we’re advocates of training and readiness to handle any contingency that might impact our employees or communities
