Life cycle assessment
A holistic framework in which to consider the relationship
between sustainability, green chemistry, and occupational
health is the product life cycle [61]. The life cycle
includes the supply chain as defined by Handfield and
Nichols as encompassing “all activities associated with
the flow and transmission of goods through the end user,
as well as the associated information flows,” and also activities
associated with recycling and end-of-life [62].
Clearly, the principles of green chemistry and sustainability
are recognizable as advantageous components of
a life cycle approach and analysis. However, life cycle
analysis (LCA) has often lacked a sustainability perspective
because even though the name implies a cradle to
grave view, there are system boundaries in traditional
LCA [63]. In short, this means that in an overview of
the whole system, all issues that are in conflict with
basic sustainability principles have not been taken into
account. Consequently, trade-offs, as Ny et al. (2006)
observed, between specificity and depth one on hand,
and comprehension and applicability on the other, are
difficult [63]. Similarly, if workers are not considered in
basic sustainability principles, the LCA will be deficient.
Workers are integral to all activities from product cradle
to grave and have been recognized to some extent
by the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and the World
Bank (WB). Occupational safety and health elements are
incorporated in the GR Performance Indicator [9]. The
WB Groups Investment Climate Department is supporting
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research that shows that occupational safety and health issues
have been considered in various corporate social responsibility
codes of conduct [9]. Nonetheless, the broad
consideration of occupational safety and health in sustainability
assessments all along the life cycle is lacking. Moreover,
research on innovation of new green chemistries
appear to be not well funded nor focus on the benefits of
worker health and safety [64].
Sustainability, occupational safety and health, and
green chemistry can be promoted through the supply
chain and ultimately be integral components of life cycle
analysis. The triggers to promote these values in supply
chains rely in large part on company motivations. Corporate
social responsibility agendas need to include this
focus and so do international management standards
codes of conduct, international framework agreem