Advantages in Environmental Compliance For Maritime Corrosion Control

The need for environmentally compliant processes and materials in the Painting Industry grows more pressing every day. As the need for these processes grows, so grows the confusion regarding the selection and implementation of these new methods and materials. In the past, price and traditional procedure were the only criteria by which a material was procured. Speed and compliance with Original Equipment Manufacturer specification governed how things were done on the shop floor. With the advent of the environmental regulations, processes are being examined all across the globe. In many of the larger companies, the chief environmental officer has as important a role as the comptroller or Chief Financial Officer. Environmental managers are often not chemists or line painters, and typically, the environmental manager is skilled only in the policies of waste disposal, spill clean up, or remediation. The methods whereby a company can minimize the generation of hazardous waste remain less familiar. Often the examination of possible alternate techniques and materials are left for the last minute, or are conducted by personnel who are unfamiliar with how to make changes work. This is usually a recipe for failure in the implementing of anything new. This paper will suggest methods for selection of alternative products and processes in a clear and organized manner. Salient discussion points will be: 1. Process Examination 2. Material Selection 3. Steps For Successful Implementation 4. Possible Impediments 5. How to Avoid Risky Alternatives It will focus on procedures that will assist in the decision making process, and hopefully be of use in the choosing of environmentally sound equipment, chemicals, and methodologies.