(169a) Capacity Building of Risk Communication with the Local Community in RMP (risk management plan)

In order to respond effectively in a chemical accident, it is important to establish a cooperative relationship with the local community, not alone. To this end, the risk management plan (RMP) system requires the establishment to prepare emergency response information to inform local communities. Any company approved RMP should open their information includes the company name, location (address), phone number, information on hazardous chemicals (types, hazards, and risk of accidents), and emergency responses information (effect range, accident-control equipment, how to deliver alarms, what people should do, a list of organizations for emergency contact and their phone numbers). The company should post the report on the NICS public notification system (http://icis.me.go.kr/rmp_notice) within one month after approval or serve notification report to locals within three months after endorsement using one of below ways; letter (via either post or email), public hearing or presentation, deliver to representatives of community. However, it is still one-sided information level, so there is a limit to finding and utilizing the information desired in the community. Therefore, the appropriateness of the emergency response plan in the community is always controversial and the reliability is low. In order to work successfully in the event of a chemical accident, the site specific information must be reflected in the emergency response plan. To do this, the role of local communities and local governments is important. Since the introduction of the risk management plan, some local governments have been working with the central government to increase the reliability and operability of emergency response plans through risk communication to strengthen the capacity of the community for emergency response. However, it is not yet spreading nationwide, but only a few local governments are participating. It will take a long time for all the areas with chemical handling sites to have an effective emergency response system. However, the central government plans to upgrade more easy system to share information on emergency response plans, to establish a forum for information sharing, and to establish strategies for communication with local governments and local communities.