The Preparedness of the Private and Government Sectors to Implement Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) in Phra Nakorn Si Ayutthaya Province

Abstract

This study was conducted in the populations in Phra Nakorn Si Ayutthaya Province consisted of 1,500 industrial factories of the private sectors and 7 relevant offices of the government sectors. A total of 441 factories selected by systematic random sampling and all 7 government offices were studied. The instruments used were questionnaire and interviewing form regarding knowledge, recognition, opinion, preparedness, problems and suggestions from implementing GHS. The reliability values of the instruments were 0.90 and 0.71, respectively. The analytical statistics was percentage and mean.

The findings of the research were that: (1)the situation concerning GHS implementation of the private and government sectors in Phra Nakorn Si Ayutthaya Province was at the initial phase. Implementation of the private sector was not much and the government sector was at the planning phase; (2) GHS knowledge of most officers in the private sector was at the good level. Most of them agreed with and recognized GHS. They need support from the relevant government sector in terms of knowledge for implementing GHS as well as relating laws. Various preparedness aspects were at the moderate level, except for budget which was at the low level; (3) GHS knowledge of most officers in the government sector was also at the good level. Most of them agreed with and recognized GHS. Preparedness was at the initial phase; and (4) problems and suggestions of both officers in private and government sectors from implementing GHS in Phra Nakorn Si Ayutthaya Province were that the private sector still needed knowledge and support for implementing GHS from government sector. The government sector needed clearer policy, resource and support from the main government offices.