Toxic chemicals used in manufacturing and production processes such as hydrogen chloride, ethylhexyl acrylate and vinyl chloride, spewed into the air, soil and ground water in Ohio. An article on ABC News from Feb. 13 by Julia Jacobo, stated "There were more toxic chemicals aboard the train...than originally reported".
Proper use of SAP S/4HANA for product compliance with dangerous goods and safety data sheets would have meant that the company and train workers would have known, very accurately, how much of each chemical was being transported. Additionally, the dangers of each chemical for animals, soil, water, and people with regards to inhalation, toxicity, and exposure to eyes or skin, for example.
In this terrible accident we have an example of why product compliance is so important.
How much better could the response have been? How much easier would it have been for police and local authorities to communicate with the people and communicate with confidence that what they were saying was correct and in the best interest of the residents. The transportation company could have contacted the manufacturer which could also have immediately provided all the necessary information, building trust and protecting their brand with the public and government leaders.
There are many examples of, when major disasters came, companies which were honest, accurate and proactive came out of the situation with greater public trust and improved brand name.
If you want to learn more about SAP S/4HANA for product compliance, check out this free Open SAP course.
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