7 - Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research

ISH information is supplementary to the basic knowledge of materials and processes and it
leads to the scientific and methodological approach towards the control of work and
environment. Information required for ISH programme usually depends on the type of
work, material and process involved in the production. In chemical industries, information
(guidelines/standards) is required for the safe handling; storage; transportation; hygiene;
spills & leaks, fire hazards; first aid; waste management etc.
The web resources described in this paper provide key guidance and other information on
Chemical Safety. These sites are chosen based on accessibility, quality of information and
frequency of updates. This is not a comprehensive listing given the dynamic character of
Web, which is expanding rapidly.
3. International Programme on Chemical Safety- INCHEM Database (URL:
http://www.inchem.org/)
International Programme on Chemical Safety (IPCS) is a collaborative venture of World
Health Organisation; United Nations Environment Programme; and International Labor
Organisation. IPCS INCHEM is an invaluable tool for those concerned with chemical
safety and the sound management of chemicals. Produced through cooperation between
the International Programme on Chemical Safety (IPCS) and the Canadian Centre for
Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS). It provides current and internationally peerreviewed
chemical safety related publications and database records from international
bodies for public access. The information provided consists of chemicals affecting the
environment and human health. Offering quick and easy electronic access to thousands of
searchable full-text documents, IPCS INCHEM is an invaluable tool for those concerned
on chemical risks and the sound management of chemicals.
4. IPCS INCHEM contains the following:
• Concise International Chemical Assessment Document (CICADS)
• Environmental Health Criteria (EHC) monographs
• Health and Safety Guides (HSGs)
• International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
• IPCS/CEC Evaluation of Antidotes Series
• Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) - Monographs and
evaluations
• Joint Meeting on Pesticide Residues (JMPR) - Monographs and evaluations
• Pesticide Data Sheets (PDSs)
• Poisons Information Monographs (PIMs)
• Screening Information Data Set (SIDS) for High Production Volume Chemicals
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (http://www.oecd.org/ehs)
The main focus is the dissemination of tools for chemical safety assessment, which are
used by OECD member countries, with the aim of promoting harmonisation. The contents
include the activities of the programme with special emphasis on dissemination of
information via the web site in the form of up-to-date information on activities,
publications, directories, databases, contact points and links to other sites of importance.
OECD is an inter-governmental organization with 30 member countries. Activities related
to chemical safety are carried out as part of the Environment, Health and Safety (EHS)
Programme. The programme co-operates closely with other intergovernmental
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