title: A risk management initiative implemented in Canada.
abstract: This paper describes recent initiatives in Canada that lead to a new regulation on environmental emergencies under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act of 1999. The regulation includes a list of hazardous substances with threshold quantities. It has requirements for prevention, preparedness, response and recovery. The regulation is based on voluntary guidelines developed by industry, public authorities, municipalities and representatives of the public. The guidelines are a reference for industry and municipalities to help them manage risk related to major industrial accidents. The guidelines released in July 2002 are innovative in the sense that municipalities are strongly involved in the risk management process through the creation of Local Emergency Planning Committees (Joint Committees) with representatives from industry, municipalities and public. This work appears as a relevant approach to involve the public in the decision-making process and makes people aware of the hazards and the measures taken to control risk.
authors.affiliation: Chemical Engineering Department, University of Sherbrooke, Repentigny, Que., Canada J6A 3l4. jpla@sympatico.ca
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Lacoursiere
mesh_terms: D000062:Accidents, Occupational / Q000517:prevention & control; D002170:Canada; D015984:Causality; D002617:Chemical Industry / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000458:organization & administration; D003142:Communication; D004189:Disaster Planning / Q000379:methods*; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000517:prevention & control; D004782:Environmental Health / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D015386:Hazardous Substances; D006801:Humans; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D017751:Safety Management / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D015386:Hazardous Substances