New Delhi, Jul 27 (IANS): The Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals (DCPC) on Wednesday signed an MoU with International Labour Organisation (ILO) to adopt the International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs) for information dissemination to the chemical industry.

The International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs) are data sheets intended to concisely provide essential safety and health information on chemicals. The primary aim of the Cards is to promote the safe use of chemicals in the workplace.

The department will use the International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs) to disseminate the appropriate hazard information on chemicals at the workplace in an understandable and precise way.

The pact was signed in the presence of the Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare and Chemical and Fertilisers Mansukh Mandaviya, and Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilisers, New & Renewable Energy, Bhagwanth Khuba, at a seminar on 'Safe use of Chemicals' organised by the DCPC along with ILO and FICCI.

Speaking on occasion, Mandaviya said that human safety and humanity are paramount for the nation. In this regard, he added, "India readily accepts any best practice that ensures safety and security of life, humanity, environment and the industry."

"The MoU with ILO will ensure the safety of personnel in the chemicals and petrochemicals industry," the minister said adding that "the industry will follow these practices, and the government will monitor the implementation."

"The MoU would seek to ensure that the workers and the chemicals sector grow together without harm and hazard", said MoS for Chemicals and Fertilisers.

"Nearly 1 billion workers worldwide, particularly in developing countries, economies in transition and the informal economy, are disproportionately exposed to hazardous substances, including pollutants, dust, vapours and fumes. An estimated 1 million workers die each year due to exposure to hazardous chemicals," said Kelvin A Sergeant, who spoke on behalf of ILO Director Dagmar Walter.