To continuously enhance public safety in Taichung City's areas housing public hazardous substances, the Taichung City Government’s Fire Bureau collaborated with various agencies including the Central Taiwan Science Park Bureau, the Central Region Occupational Safety and Health Center of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration of the Ministry of Labor, the Economic Development Bureau, the Urban Development Bureau, the Department of Environmental Protection, and the Labor Inspection Office, Taichung City Government to a joint inspection team. From March 1 to April 26 this year, they conducted a joint inspection of 97 establishments within the city. These establishments handle public hazardous substances, with quantities exceeding 30 times the controlled limit for manufacturing, storing, and processing.
The Fire Bureau noted that the joint inspection primarily focused on the security systems in places handling public hazardous substances, safety in work environments, building safety declarations, factory registrations, and the declarations of public hazardous substances. During the inspection period, one establishment was found to be non-compliant and was reported accordingly. Two others were identified for lacking fire safety equipment and were given time to rectify the issue. They will be closely monitored until improvements are made. Guidance has also been provided to enhance self-inspection and emergency response capabilities across all business units.
The Fire Bureau hopes to strengthen coordination among various agencies through joint inspections, thereby comprehensively enhancing safety at hazardous substance manufacturing and storing sites. Additionally, due to Taiwan's location in an earthquake-prone area, it is advised that public hazardous substance manufacturing, storing, and processing sites within Taichung City reinforce preventive measures for earthquake. Apart from complying with safety management provisions as outlined in Article 46 of the Establishment Standard and Safety Control Regulation for Manufacturing, Storing, Processing Public Hazardous Substances and Flammable Pressurized Gases Places, it is also advised that they conduct earthquake simulation exercises and devise measures to prevent the leakage of public hazardous substances, thereby reducing the risk of disasters caused by earthquakes.