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Topics on this page:
Emergency response - well prepared to act professionally
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Four levels, one system
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Emergency response expertise
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24-hour emergency contact numbers
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Audits
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Assessment of risk performance
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The risk matrix points the way
Emergency response - well prepared to act professionally
We want to be as well prepared as possible in the event of accidents and emergencies. To provide the best possible access to expertise in the field of emergency response throughout the BASF Group and for our partners, we are extending our global Emergency Response Management System. The system covers our subsidiaries and joint ventures around the world and also extends to suppliers, customers, neighboring companies as well as cities and towns in the communities in which we operate.
Information regarding each plant, an account of the alarm plan, the number of facilities to deal with fire or explosion as well as organizational emergency response measures are described in the emergency response plan.
A swift response is essential whenever accidents occur while chemicals are being transported. This is why we belong to networks that supply information and assist in emergencies. These include the German Transport Accident Information and Emergency Response System (TUIS) and the International Chemical and Environmental (ICE) initiative.
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Four levels, one system
We have established Site Incident Management Teams at all major production sites worldwide. Further teams for crisis management operate at the national level in countries with major production sites and at the regional level in Europe, North and South America and Asia Pacific. At the highest level, a global Crisis Management Support unit is also available in Ludwigshafen.
The activation of each management level depends on the size of the incident. Those responsible at higher levels provide support to the local team. If required, teams of experts may be formed at the higher levels and dispatched to provide local support (Incident Support Teams).
In the event of a crisis, the procedures defined in BASF’s global guidelines for emergency response are activated.
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Emergency response expertise
Thanks to our comprehensive knowledge and experience, we are able to handle both on-site and off-site incidents. Our expertise extends to the following areas:
- Safe product handling in emergency situations (fires, spills)
- Fire prevention and fire fighting
- Transport accident information and support system concepts
- Emergency and incident response
We also make our expertise in the area of emergency response available to our customers.
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24-hour emergency contact numbers
The expertise of our emergency response experts is available around the clock through a global network of emergency contact numbers.
In addition, BASF has already established Emergency Control Centers (ECC) to provide support services in all regions and key countries. These centers are to be found in Mount Olive, New Jersey; Guaratinguetá, Brazil; Seal Sands, United Kingdom; Antwerp, Belgium; Schwarzheide and Ludwigshafen, Germany; Tarragona, Spain; Shanghai, China; and Kuantan, Malaysia. In Asia, we are in the process of expanding these networks.
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Audits
Carrying out regular audits at all our sites worldwide is a key tool in the effort to make our sites and plants even safer. They help make us a trustworthy partner for employees, neighbours, customers and public authorities.
Our experts for safety, the environment and occupational medicine regularly monitor all our sites and plants. We track the implementation of our standards using a verification catalog. We use the results to establish a comprehensive site profile, which is then used to determine any necessary measures.
In 2007, 107 environmental and safety audits were carried out at 78 BASF sites. We also conducted occupational medicine and health protection audits at 22 sites.
Our international BASF Audit Group meets annually to standardize and further develop auditing systems worldwide.
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Assessment of risk performance
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The risk matrix points the way
To determine whether a site's environment, safety or health performance is adequate in order to rule out risks, the audit results are illustrated by means of a risk matrix. It immediately becomes clear whether action needs to be taken and how urgently. The options range from urgent improvements to longer-term projects. Once the audit has been completed, the teams consult with their local contacts, advising them on how to implement the proposals and ascertaining whether these have been carried out promptly. If the auditors detect a higher level of risk at a plant, follow-up audits are arranged on the spot to monitor whether the measures are being enforced.
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