Protiviti Drives Governance over Chemical Safety in Apparel | Protiviti India

Protiviti Drives Governance over Chemical Safety in Apparel

Keys to Success

Change Requested

Conduct a comprehensive analysis of the current safety protocols governing the ‘Storage, Handling, Utilisation, and Disposal of Chemicals’ by Chemical Handlers, especially in the context of an allegation of a gas leak leading to an investigation by the AP Pollution Control Board. Protiviti was requested to offer recommendations for enhancements, with the overarching objective of optimising the overall safety procedures associated with chemical(s) management.

Change Envisioned

Recognising the imperative to fortify governance over the ‘Storage, Handling, Utilisation, and Disposal of Chemicals’, a vision was conceived to systematically analyse, categorise the chemicals in use and review compliance with established Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and for chemicals, aligning seamlessly with the speciﬁcations.

Change Delivered

Executed a comprehensive analysis around the types and e􀀁ects of chemicals employed, alongside an evaluation of potential exposure risks including health hazards, considering both direct and prolonged usage of chemicals.

This entails the methodical gathering, analysis, and documentation of feedback from Chemical Handlers through interviews, emphasising an inclusive approach to evaluating current safety practices including examination of Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for the sanctioned list of chemicals supplied by the client across 11 units. The meticulous approach adhered to a precisely crafted methodology (noted below), which garnered notable appreciation from the client, labeling the resulting report as ‘One of the best reports’ in acknowledgment of its quality and thoroughness.

Topics

Internal Audit and Corporate Governance

Brief Client Introduction

Widely regarded as one of the pioneer architects responsible for elevating the local apparel industry, our client has over the past 50+ years grown vertically and laterally. More recently the footprint has extended to the wider South Asian region through investments in India and Bangladesh. With 30 manufacturing facilities across the Indian subcontinent serving some of the most prestigious apparel brands in the world, our client has carved out a name as one of the leading Asian-origin suppliers in the global apparel value chain.

Methodology – Chemical Review

Note: Given our team’s different skill sets in comprehending chemical composition, compatibility, and their effects, we collaborated with the client's Occupational Health and Safety Head, who served as a subject matter expert. This partnership proved essential in understanding and integrating the right approach for both local and systemic chemicals, while also ensuring the acceptance of our recommendations. The ultimate result, which included an improved level of safety awareness among chemical handlers, was the outcome of our collective efforts in preparation, showcasing the synergy achieved through our collaboration.

Key Statistics –– Hazardous Chemical Review

How Protiviti Helped to Achieve the Goal

Business Impact

For the ﬁrst time, the client gained a comprehensive understanding of both the local and systemic effects of chemicals utilised in daily operations. This encompassed an understanding of chemical storage and handling requirements in alignment with Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) and deﬁned Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).

The initiative also focused on enhancing employees' comprehension of the use of chemical spillage kits and first aid measures. The process was facilitated through customised training for all the chemical handlers, which significantly improved their ability to analyse and track process lapses more efficiently than before.

Notes:
MSDS - Material Safety Data Sheet
SOP - Standard Operating Procedure
RSL - Restricted Substances List
MRSL - Manufacturing Restricted Substances List

Continuous Value and Engagement

Throughout our enduring eight-year collaboration, Protiviti has been instrumental in providing pivotal support during the client's transformative operational shift, seamlessly aligning with their pursuit of operational excellence. The impact has been profound, surpassing conventional project delivery to instigate an ongoing process of continual evolution and enhancement. Protiviti’s achievements stand as a testament to the recommendation of efficiency benchmarks across diverse domains, including Transport Risk Assessment, Safety Review for Chemical Management, Central Kitchen Review, Project Right-Sizing, and the comprehensive evaluation of the client's Corporate Social Responsibility Landscape. From scrutinising operational efficiency to meticulously reporting on the compliance monitoring mechanism, our inﬂuence spans a diverse array of critical areas, contributing to the client's sustained success.