Community

Barry Community Advisory Panel 2009 Annual Report

The following provides a brief summary of the Community Advisory Panel (CAP) meetings in 2009.

January

The CAP reviewed the roles and expectations of CAP members. They also heard what each company manufactures and an explanation of the common acronyms used in the industry was given.

February

Transportation of products and materials is a huge logistical task. The CAP heard how Dow Corning goes about shipping materials and the various regulations associated with transportation. Road, rail, sea and air transportation were discussed.

March

The CAP heard ways to protect themselves against fire in the home. Statistics of house fires were shown and typical ways house fires start were discussed.

April

At April’s meeting the CAP heard about how Dow Corning and Cabot work to reduce waste and how they handle the wastes they do generate. Companies are constantly looking to reduce their wastes or find new ways to turn them into something of value.

May

In May the CAP heard how Dow Corning was implementing a new work efficiency initiative called 5S (sort, set in order, shine, standardize, self discipline). The CAP learned what was involved in 5S and how things can be tidied and improved. The CAP members visited a Dow Corning production area to see how 5S was being implemented a production environment.

June

In a new weather tracking and modeling tool was shown to the CAP in June.  The system is being used by Dow Corning. The CAP members were interested in the software’s ability to back plot wind data and how it may be used to track sources of odors. The software is also able to plot and predict the extent of a chemical release. 

July and August

There were no meetings in July and August due to holidays.

September

In September, the panel joined with Sully CAP and heard about the air monitoring done by the UK’s Environment Agency (EA) in the area around the industrial complex. The EA presented the data and showed that the air quality locally was very good. Comparisons to a 1997 study were also made.

October

In October’s meeting the CAP was given a presentation from the South Wales Police on their role in a major incident at the industrial complex. Several questions were raised by CAP members.

November

This month the CAP learned of the issues and challenges facing all companies regarding energy and the long term supply security and costs. Key facts about the UK energy situation were presented as well as the options companies were considering.

December

The panel members attended the Christmas meal.

Monthly

Calls to the Helpline were reviewed and discussed each month.