The toolkit promotes the message, “Stop, Look, Think, Call,” educating workers in the recycling industry to better identify potential hazards, determine the situation, and call appropriate emergency responders or experts if necessary.

“Our partnership with The Chlorine Institute has allowed us to raise awareness of the potential hazards that could occur when recyclers come in contact with compressed gas containers, and educate industry workers on the proper way to respond,” said Robin Wiener, President of ISRI. “The Stop, Look, Think, Call message is a simple, easy to remember way of how to properly handle chlorine containers. These four steps can help avoid the release of chlorine, toxic gases, explosions, and most importantly, prevent serious injuries.”

The four steps to handling compressed gas containers are:

Stop unidentified gas containers entering the facility;

Look for valves, damage, and other identifying markings; When handling potentially dangerous cylinders,

Think! Assume the gas container is holding pressure, and contact a hazardous material specialist to handle it; and

Call the local fire department if the container is leaking, if not contact other expert assistance.

“Product stewardship includes ensuring the safe handling of Chlorine Institute members’ products throughout their lifecycles,” said CI President Frank Reiner. “We welcome this opportunity to partner with America’s recyclers to help educate their employees and managers about the right way to respond to gas cylinders and containers, and CI members were pleased to share their technical expertise in developing the ‘Stop, Look, Think, Call’ materials.” The toolkit contains three primary components: Pocket Guide: Able to fit in a worker’s pocket and withstand the environment of a scrap yard, it serves as a constant reminder to Stop, Look, Think, Call when dealing with a chlorine container; Print Brochure: A more in-depth description of the four steps to help train scrap yard personnel and serve as ongoing resource that to which they can refer; YouTube Video: A six minute training video that identifies and demonstrates specific cylinder safety processes, specifically focusing on the message of Stop, Look, Think, Call. Copies of the pocket guide and brochure can be obtained by contacting ISRI Safety.