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Recently, as the pandemic continues to spread, and due to a combination of various negative factors such as supply and demand imbalances upstream and downstream, logistics challenges, and a weak market, the chemical industry is gradually accumulating systemic risks. Hazardous chemicals, chemical, and pharmaceutical enterprises should, in light of their actual circumstances, strengthen risk identification and control to effectively manage various types of risks. Pay attention to six types of secondary safety risks associated with the pandemic. Risk one: The virus spreads rapidly and has a significant lasting impact. The Omicron BA.2 variant spreads faster than Delta, is more covert, accounts for a higher proportion of asymptomatic and mild cases, is prone to community transmission, makes prevention and control more difficult, and results in a longer duration of impact. Risk 2: Frequent staff changes and role substitutions occur due to quarantine measures such as those imposed for epidemic control, which prevent the company’s key managers, production and technical supervisors, safety officers, technical personnel in critical positions, and workers involved in special operations from carrying out their duties. This leads to safety risks associated with insufficient training for those taking on new roles or substituting for others, as well as for new employees. Risk 3: Narrow profit margins and limited investment in safety. The complex international situation has led to a significant increase in the cost of raw materials for production, while declining market demand has resulted in low prices for end products. The inefficient transmission of costs along the supply chain reduces companies’ profit margins, posing a risk of insufficient investment in safety measures. Risk 4: Raw materials cannot be delivered, leading to frequent starts and stops. This is often caused by regional lockdowns, closed highways, and driver quarantines, which result in the inability to transport raw materials and cause disruptions in the logistics supply chain. As a consequence, operations are not carried out at full capacity, and there are safety risks associated with frequent starting and stopping of operations. Risk 5: Products cannot be shipped out; excessive storage occurs due to weak market demand, and downstream companies cease production, leading to an accumulation of products and increased inventory levels, which may pose a risk of excessive storage of hazardous chemicals. Risk 6: There is a strong demand for disinfection products, leading to increased production by companies that manufacture alcohol, sodium hypochlorite, hydrogen peroxide, peracetic acid, and other such disinfectants for epidemic prevention. This results in the risk of overproduction, exceeding capacity limits, and working under excessive stress. Implement ten risk control measures. Measure 1: Implement epidemic prevention and control policies. Pay close attention to announcements related to epidemic prevention and control, fulfill responsibilities in this area, promptly identify key individuals, and enforce relevant epidemic prevention measures. Measure 2: Ensure safety conditions for personnel. If the key supervisors, production and technical managers, workers engaged in special operations, and those working in critical positions are unable to carry out their duties due to lockdowns, it is necessary to select individuals who meet the requirements for those positions to take over their tasks. Such individuals must be authorized before they can conduct risk assessments, perform special operations, or issue work permits. Measure 3: Strengthen management of personnel changes. New employees, employees who have changed roles, and contractors must receive the “three-level” safety training; without such training, as well as without receiving comprehensive training prior to resuming work, they are not allowed to start working. Measure 4: Implement the “Four Orders and Three Systems”. During periods of frequent shutdowns and resumptions of work, it is necessary to conduct thorough safety risk analyses and identifications, and strictly enforce the “Shutdown Order” and the “Resumption Order”. Measure 5: Strengthen the safety management of chemical processes. Production activities should be planned reasonably; frequent start-ups and shutdowns, as well as attempts to meet tight deadlines, are strictly prohibited. It is necessary to implement various safety measures such as equipment commissioning, purging, and replacement to ensure safe startup and shutdown. Measure 6: Conduct scientific and rational scheduling, organize production in an appropriate manner, strictly base production on sales volume and inventory levels, and resolutely prevent overstocking as well as production and storage beyond capacity. Measure 7: Strengthen monitoring of abnormal operating conditions. Implement real-time monitoring and early warning for key process parameters, and take immediate and appropriate action in the event of any abnormal conditions. Measure 8: Strengthen the management of equipment operation to ensure its integrity. Conduct regular inspections of key equipment, and promptly address any safety hazards related to seals in stationary equipment, vulnerable components in moving equipment, as well as safety accessories. Carry out preventive maintenance on equipment to ensure its safe and reliable operation. Measure 9: Strengthen the safety management of inspection, maintenance, and repair work. Strictly adhere to the approval procedures for special operations such as hot work and entry into confined spaces, and implement on-site supervision. Measure 10: Strengthen emergency preparedness. Improve emergency response plans, and ensure that the necessary emergency agencies, teams, equipment, and supplies are in place, so that emergency rescue teams remain ready for action 24 hours a day. Source: Guangzhou Emergency Management