Dangerous chemicals and gases are handled and stored at nearly all chemicals and explosives plants, oil refineries, pulp and paper plants, paint factories, paintshops, power plants, water purification plants, ports and many other facilities. Dangerous chemicals and gases include flammable liquids, natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and chemicals that pose a risk to health and the environment.
In Finland there are about 700 large-scale chemicals and explosives establishments supervised by Tukes. Periodic inspections of all of them take place once a year, once in three years or once in five years, depending on the quantity and risk level of the chemicals involved.
All new production plants dealing in large-scale industrial handling and storage are subject to a licence by Tukes. The licence application shall be filed with Tukes in good time before any detailed solutions are implemented or construction works are started.
Small-scale handling and storage of chemicals is supervised by local rescue authorities, with whom a start-up notification shall be filed.
Tukes also participates in the development of legislation on chemicals safety and in national and international co-operation, and arranges exams for appointed chemical supervisors provided by law.
Provisions regarding chemicals safety are laid down in the Act on the Safe Handling and Storage of Dangerous Chemicals and Explosives (390/2005) and various Government decrees (e.g. on industrial handling and storage of dangerous chemicals 59/1999, liquefied petroleum gas, natural gas, and explosives) of Finland.