GCLA pushes for safer chemical practices

KIBAHA: IN its continued efforts to prevent chemical accidents and uphold its mandate of protecting human health and the environment, the government has reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with the private sector to achieve this goal.

Coast Regional Medical Officer (RMO) Dr Kusirye Ukio said during the closing ceremony of a three-day annual refresher training for Chemical Supervisors from the Eastern Zone, Dar es Salaam and Coast Region), that the government is deeply concerned about the health of its people and the state of the environment.

The training, held at the Mwalimu Julius Nyerere Leadership School in Kibaha Municipal Council was organised by the Government Chemist Laboratory Authority (GCLA) and brought together 170 participants from both the public and private sectors.

“The Government is deeply concerned about the health of its people and the state of the environment. We know that chemicals can bring great benefits when properly used, but they can also cause serious harm when mishandled. This training was designed to equip professionals from both sectors with stronger capacity in managing chemicals safely,” he said.

For his part, GCLA Eastern Zone Manager, Mr Dunstan Mkapa said that the public institutions represented at the training including TASAC, TPA, DAWASCO, TPDC, TANESCO and others will play a key role in supporting the GCLA in ensuring safe chemical use and proper disposal.

“We expect all public institutions that attended this training to strengthen their collaboration with the GCLA and help us carry out our responsibilities more effectively than before. As for the private institutions, we expect them to become strong educators, sharing this knowledge across the entire chain of chemical transportation, use, storage and disposal,” he said.

During the three-day training, participants received presentations on the roles and functions of the GCLA, the Industrial and Consumer Chemicals Act of 2003 and its 2020 Regulations, as well as the Drug Control and Prevention Act of 2015, with emphasis on precursor chemicals.

Key topics included chemical hazards, safety communication, emergency preparedness, chemical waste management, customer rights and responsibilities and mental health and stress management for chemical supervisors.