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Topics on this page:
Global process safety guideline
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Primary and secondary safety measures
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EHS reviews at BASF
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Our goal is to build and operate plants in such a way that malfunctions are as unlikely as possible. When planning and constructing new plants, we apply the same stringent standards worldwide.
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Global process safety guideline
We determine and evaluate the possible risk posed by a plant to people and the environment, develop a corresponding safety and environmental plan, and check its implementation.
These steps are a fixed part of the process from designing a plant to putting it into operation. And a plant only starts up when they have been completed.
This process is laid down in a binding guideline that is valid throughout the BASF Group. The guideline provides a five-step review system for environmental protection, health and safety (EHS reviews) that covers all aspects of process safety, occupational safety, occupational health and environmental protection when planning plants. If malfunctions or accidents should occur, they are examined thoroughly and necessary measures are taken. In the future, we will analyze events even more systematically through the use of new key indicators.
In order to implement uniform safety standards, we place particular importance on training our safety experts worldwide. We hold regular seminars on plant safety and explosion protection with an emphasis on discussion about instruments to improve process safety as well as the use of new safety concepts and our risk matrix. The matrix is used as part of the hazard assessment process to classify potential risks according to their impact and estimated frequency. Various risk classes and appropriate measures are derived from this matrix.
Periodic audits are carried out at locations and sites to check compliance of our safety standards.
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Primary and secondary safety measures
When planning a new plant, we investigate to what extent the hazards identified can be avoided or at least reduced, for example by using less hazardous substances, reactions or reaction conditions. Safety measures need to be taken to control the remaining hazards. Here, we differentiate between primary and secondary safety measures.
The focus lies on primary safety measures. These prevent further consequences such as the release of substances in the event of a plant malfunction. To this end, equipment is installed to shut down the plant automatically, for example.
This safety strategy is backed up by secondary safety measures designed to ensure that effects are minimized in the event of an incident. These include protective walls, retention systems and fire fighting measures.
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