Dealing with hazardous materials

Dealing with hazardous materials

8241958_sThis is one problem that is being swept under the carpet. But the nature of such problem is that from time to time it pops out with deadly results. The problem is – hazardous, materials in Israeli industry. This has been a problem for years but except for talk very little has been done.

The accident in the Ashdod industrial zone on Jan. 26 that caused the death of two employees is another proof that this issue is not regulated as it should be.

Hadash MK Dov Henin on Saturday morning called for increased supervision of hazardous materials, after two men working at an industrial facility in Ashdod died earlier in the day after inhaling toxic fumes.

“We can’t reconcile ourselves to a situation in which work accidents involving dangerous materials become the standard, and cost human lives over and over,” he said. “We must change the standard, strengthen enforcement, and punish those responsible for these disasters.”

In Israel the problem is even more serious because of the rockets threat.

During “pillar of defense” operation in GAZA , the Home Front Command has ordered factories in the southern region to reduce levels of any dangerous materials they may possess, in order to lessen the level of harm that could be caused as a result of a direct rocket hit.

Environment ministry teams are currently inspecting 15 factories located within missile range, particularly in the Ashdod and Be’er Sheva areas, supervising the implementation of this order to reduce inventories of toxic materials.

The list of factories that possess dangerous materials was drafted by the Home Front; environment ministry officials stress that this list could change in response to a number of developments.

But the problem is imminent even when rockets are not hitting populated areas in Israel , and that calls for a more strict approach from the ministries in charge.

egozi2Mr. Arie Egozi

i-HLS.com Editor-in-chief