GCLA trains special groups on safe use of chemicals

THE Government Chemist Laboratory Authority (GCLA) has trained about 65 deaf people over proper handling and safe use of hazardous chemicals.

Participants at the seminar over the weekend were drawn from Dar es Salaam and Coast regions.

The move aims at bringing every special group on board in efforts to reduce fatal accidents caused by dangerous chemicals.

Chief Government Chemist Dr Fidelice Mafumiko argued that the seminar meant to give them understanding on how the authority works and handles chemicals safely.

“We want to create awareness to every special group for them to be on the same page in these issues,” Dr Mafumiko stated when officially opened the seminar.

He added: “Since it is the special group, we thought it is necessary to conduct this training, because they are also main stakeholders, who also need to understand where they can get services of the authority.”

He informed the participants that among other services, the authority registers dealers, transporters and importers of chemicals.

Dr Mafumiko further said: “We know that chemicals are important in our daily lives. We insist on proper and safe uses of chemicals to avoid negative effects of health and environment.”

Elaborating, he told the participants to use the chemicals as per instructions embedded on the containers or packages to protect health and environment.

Equally, the Chief Government Chemist expressed optimism that upon the training the group would have acquired knowledge and support the authority in spreading awareness to their fellows.

In his address, Executive Director of the Tanzania Institute for Deaf Development, Mr Kelvin Nyema, thanked the GCLA for organizing the seminar which was expected to build understanding over safe use of hazadous chemicals among the deaf people.

He added: “Chemicals are dangerous; we hope that my colleagues will get good understanding of the proper and safe use of hazardous chemicals.”