SMEs & Y2K: Preventing Loss of Life - Environmental Catastrophe

August 17, 1999

Contact:  Stephen M. Apatow
President & Executive Director, 
Humanitarian Resource Institute
Telephone: (203) 668-0282
Internet:  http://www.humanitarian.net
Email:  sma@humanitarian.net

SMALL, MEDIUM-SIZED ENTERPRISES AT GREATEST RISK FOR Y2K RELATED
CATASTROPHIC EVENTS: NEW PUBLICATION OFFERS HELP

According to the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB)
report, one of the major concerns regarding Y2K-related catastrophic
events was associated with Small, Medium-Sized Businesses. According to
the report, SMEs are defined as facilities 
that have less than 50 employees, facilities that have between 51-200
employees or are not part of a multinational national corporation, or
public sector facilities, e.g., municipal water and wastewater
facilities.  SMEs managing high hazard chemicals can pose large risks
to works and the surrounding community. While some exceptional SMEs are
highly 
resourced, more generally, SMEs lack awareness regarding the Y2K
impact, resources, and the technical know-how for fixing the problems.
Given the time constraints, there is very little chance of changing
that reality. -- Technology Problems and Industrial Chemical Safety
Workshop Report before the U.S. Senate Special Committee on the Year
2000 Technology Problem.

U.S. Y2K PREDICTIONS OF 15 % INFRASTRUCTURE FAILURE LEAVES COUNTRIES IN
30 %, 50% AND 66% CATEGORIES AT INCOMPREHENSIBLE RISK

GARTNER PREDICTIONS OF INFRASTRUCTURE FAILURE FOR COUNTRIES
(March 1999 Report on Global Status of Y2K before the U.S. Senate
Special Committee on the Year 2000)

15% Infrastructure Failure Prediction:  Australia, Belgium, Bermuda,
Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands, Ireland, Israel, Switzerland, Sweden,
the U.K., and the U.S.A.

33% Infrastructure Failure Prediction:  Bahamas, Brazil, Chile,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Japan,
Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Peru, Portugal, Singapore, South Korea,
Spain, Taiwan and Thailand,

50% Infrastructure Failure Prediction:  Argentina, Armenia, Austria,
Bulgaria, Columbia, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, Egypt,
Guatemala, India, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Malaysia, North
Korea, Poland, Puerto Rico, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Sri Lanka,
Turkey, U.A.E., Venezuela, Yugoslavia

66% Infrastructure Failure Prediction:  Afghanistan, Bahrain,
Bangladesh, Cambodia, Chad, China, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador,
Ethiopia, Fiji, Haiti, Indonesia, Laos, Lithuania, Morocco, Mozambique,
Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Romania, Russia, Somalia, Sudan,
Uruguay, Vietnam, Zaire, and Zimbabwe

For additioanl information on the Y2K Status and ranking of Countries
visit:   
http://www.humanitarian.net/contingency.html
-- Compiled from the International Y2K Cooperation Center August 3rd
Survey

U.S. CHEMICAL SAFETY AND HAZARD INVESTIGATION BOARD, U.K. HEALTH &
SAFETY EXECUTIVE AND U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY OFFERS NEW
Y2K PUBLICATION TO HELP SMALL AND MEDIUM -SIZED BUSINESSES

The document Addressing Year 2000 Issues in Small and Medium-Sized
Facilities That Handle Chemicals was produced by the U.S. Chemical
Safety and Hazard Investigation Board, United Kingdom’s Health and
Safety Executive and the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
 Participating organizations include the American Crop Protections
Association, the Chemical Manufacturers Association, the Chemical
Specialties Manufacturers Association, the Chemical Producers and
Distributors Association, the International Sanitary Supply
Association, the National Association of 
Chemical Distributors, RISE (Responsible Industry for a Sound
Environment), and the Synthetic Organic Chemical Manufacturers
Association.

This document describes a five-step process for protecting the
continuity of the process safety systems in a facility from potential
Y2K problems. Additionally, the appendices contain information to help
facilities throughout the process. This document includes the
following:

***  A checklist of typical in-plant systems potentially vulnerable to
Y2K disruptions to help facilities determine where to focus their
efforts.

***  Guidelines for assessing the effect on safety and deciding
priorities.

***  Sources for obtaining Y2K resource material

***  A list of specific key dates that may cause disruptions

*** A guide for communicating Y2K readiness plans and activities to
employees and the community

The publication "Addressing Year 2000 Issues in Small and Medium-Sized
Facilities That Handle Chemicals" can be downloaded from the internet
at: 
http://www.CSB.GOV/1999/news/n9930.htm


A copy of the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board
Letter to Governors, CSB Y2K Report,  links to the International
Chemical  Safety Advisory,  OECD's Work on Chemical Accidents can be
accessed on the Humanitarian Resource Institute Global Y2K
Infrastructure Risks Web Site:  
http://www.humanitarian.net/y2keconomic.html


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