Chemical Safety Management Training Hub for Chemicals Users Erasmus Project

Project Title

Chemical Safety Management Training Hub for Chemicals Users

Project Key Action

This project related with these key action: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices

Project Action Type

This project related with this action type : Strategic Partnerships for vocational education and training

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2017

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: New innovative curricula/educational methods/development of training courses; Open and distance learning; Enterprise, industry and SMEs (incl. entrepreneurship)

Project Summary

CONTEXT/BACKGROUND OF THE PROJECT
Since 2006, the EU chemicals legislation has changed significantly. In 2006, Regulation (EC) No. 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council (REACH Regulation) was introduced, and two years later, another new EU regulation (Regulation No. 1272/2008), the so-called CLP, entered into force. REACH defines the obligations of a company depending on the role it plays in the supply chain, while CLP – its obligations related to the classification, labeling and packaging of chemicals. There is still a strong need to improve competences and skills among actors in supply chains. The downstream users (DU) and distributors (D) of chemicals, often belonging to SMS, are present in every industry. The free movement of goods (including chemicals) across Europe forces them to meet EU legal standards. They also lack resources for training in chemical safety management (CSM), moreover the offer of non-commercial courses is insufficient. The analysis of educational and training opportunities in CSM in Europe was the first stage of the project. Literature and an online review on the subject showed that while CSM training is available in the EU, most of it is commercial in nature. A survey of DU and D of chemicals in Poland, Germany, Greece and Romania revealed a high demand for free training on the new EU CSM legislation, especially for beginners and intermediate users. Most of the respondents found the practical exercises very useful.

OBJECTIVES The strategic aims of the project were to strengthen the competences of the target groups, i.e. DU and D of chemicals in the field of CSM, to increase the awareness of relevant professional circles about the new European legislation on CSM (REACH, CLP regulations), to improve the skills of trainers in developing and conducting CSM training in partner countries. To achieve these long-term goals, the project team have developed a free innovative CSM training package. To ensure high-quality training, all materials and tools were gradually developed, evaluated and verified by a consortium of 5 institutions from 4 countries.

NUMBER AND TYPE/PROFILE OF PARTICIPANTS The project consortium of 5 institutions from 4 countries (Poland, Romania, Greece, Germany) was established and its members represented European countries with different levels of development of the chemical market and different experience in applying EU regulations. The consortium leader and project coordinator was the Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine (NIOM), Lodz, Poland, while the partners in the project were well-known institutions on the European market as research providers, consultants, VET suppliers and tool developers IT, Lodz University of Technology (TUL), Ökopol Institute, Germany, Romtens Foundation, Romania and Prolepsis Institute, Greece.

DESCRIPTION OF UNDERTAKEN ACTIVITIES AND IMPACT ATTAINED
As result of the project implementation a comprehensive training package in CSM for all interested parties, easily available and replicated across the EU, has been developed.
Detailed information:
– training package has been divided into introductory, basic and advanced modules (the modules provide examples to help users understand the complex issues of REACH and CLP regulations and practical exercises); after passing the Basic and Advanced level tests, obtain the appropriate certificates confirming successful completion of the CSM training
– Pocket Guide for downstream users and distributors of chemicals has been created (available in an electronic version in 5 languages on ChemSM-HUB, as well as in a paper version at the premises of partner institutions)
– Training Pattern for Trainers has been developed (electronic version has been shared on ChemSM-HUB in 5 languages)
– glossary of basic concepts and definitions in CSM (on ChemSM-HUB) was created
– full texts of consolidated REACH and CLP Regulations were posted on the platform
– links to relevant ECHA guides were posted
– mobile application has been developed (dedicated to mobiles with Android system)
All interested parties including DU and D, policymakers and VET teachers have free access to training materials, chemical safety resources and other educational tools. The VET providers participating as partners in this project play an important role in disseminating the project results as they facilitate the use of the training tools beyond the project duration.

LONGER-TERM BENEFITS
• Enhancing the trainers’ ability to create and conduct CSM trainings for DU and D of chemicals in partners’ countries.
• Strengthening the competences in the field of CSM DU and D of chemical substances in chemicals in partners’ countries
• Raising the awareness of relevant professional communities (health and safety experts, DU and D) on the new European legislation on CSM (REACH, CLP).

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 322122,56 Eur

Project Coordinator

INSTYTUT MEDYCYNY PRACY IMIENIA PROF. DRA MED. JERZEGO NOFERA W LODZI & Country: PL

Project Partners

• OKOPOL INSTITUT FUR OKOLOGIE UNDPOLITIK GMBH
• KOOPERATIONSSTELLE HAMBURG IFE GMBH
• FUNDATIA ROMTENS
• PROLEPSIS Civil Law Non Profit Organization of Preventive Environmental and Occupational Medicine
• POLITECHNIKA LODZKA