Dow's Stade Chemical Site: A Decade of Safety with DuPont Personal Protection

In Dow's expansive Stade chemical site, the largest German production site of the global chemical group Dow, which spans 550 hectares, DuPont Personal Protection chemical protective apparel has been integral to safety protocols for over a decade. With 1,300+ in-house staff and several hundred contractors producing three million tonnes of chemicals annually, including propylene oxide, glycol, solvents, and raw materials for polyurethanes, Dow prioritizes employee safety through the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), relying primarily on superior protective solutions from DuPont.

Dow relies on Tychem? and Tyvek? garments for comprehensive protection

Tychem? and Tyvek? offer durable and comfortable chemical protective apparel, balancing safety with wearability.?

Dealing with over 2000 different chemicals, Dow faced the challenge of being unable to provide dedicated protective clothing for each individual chemical. DuPont's detailed permeation data for numerous organic and inorganic chemicals was crucial in Dow's safety decision-making process. This extensive research proved instrumental in demonstrating that Tychem? garments were the ideal choice for their staff protection needs.

Tychem?: Tychem? 2000 C Plus and Tychem? 6000 F coveralls were critical in protecting workers against liquid chemicals during material transfers and inspection tasks where contamination risk is very high. Additionally, these garments played a vital role in pipework emptying and cleaning, which are essential for regular official TüV1 inspections.

Tyvek?: For areas exposed to solids and dust hazards, Dow employed DuPont coveralls from the Tyvek? portfolio, such as Tyvek? 600 Plus. These coveralls were essential in critical processes such as producing cellulose ethers, integral to construction materials, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals.

Wear Testing:

Dow conducted extensive wear tests involving front-line staff before making procurement decisions. DuPont actively collaborated by supplying sample garments in various sizes. Feedback from the staff was systematically collected through detailed questionnaires, covering aspects such as comfort, fit, freedom of movement, handling, and the wearer's subjective feeling of safety. This collaborative evaluation assisted in making informed decisions and contributed to the ongoing product development, showcasing a commitment to continuous improvement.

Custom Solutions and Ongoing Improvement:

Dow and DuPont’s ongoing collaboration over a decade resulted in continuous improvement in staff safety. Beyond standard offerings, custom solutions were developed to address specific challenges in various work areas. Protective suits with reinforcements at particular stress points or details, such as attached heat-sealed gloves or boot cuffs, were tailored to offer advanced protection.

Knowledge Dissemination and Training:

Joint workshops were fundamental to the partnership between Dow and DuPont. They were crucial in increasing awareness about protective clothing among the department heads, HSE coordinators, personnel from partner companies, and apprentices. A particular focus was placed on proper donning and doffing procedures, the features of Tychem? and Tyvek? chemical protective clothing, and the appropriate disposal methods following potential contamination. As Jens Thie, SHE Specialist at Dow in Stade responsible for PPE, says, "Training workshop participants pass on their knowledge in their departments and workshops and among their shift colleagues. We aim to make sure this knowledge is put into practice and widely disseminated so our staff can work safely." DuPont has contributed to offering training videos and detailed, step-by-step instructions accessible to Dow staff through an intranet platform.

Roll-out for Standardized Safety Across Sites:

The partnership's success and the effectiveness of DuPont's PPE solutions at the Stade site served as a model for other Dow sites in Germany and Europe. This standardized approach generated cost savings and ensured a harmonized system to site occupational safety standards. DuPont's capability to offer a wide range of sizes, available from stock or made to order, further demonstrated the adaptability and flexibility towards the partnership.

Safety Synergy:

Data-driven decisions, wear testing, and collaborative safety measures ensured practicality and appropriate usage. Custom solutions and potential expansion to other sites demonstrated an efficient and tailored approach, ultimately enhancing occupational safety standards.

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**WARNING: This information is based upon technical data that DuPont believes is reliable. It is subject to revision as additional knowledge and experience become available. It is the user’s responsibility to determine the level of toxicity and the proper personal protective equipment needed. This information is intended for use by persons with the technical expertise to evaluate under their specific end-use conditions at their discretion and risk. Anyone planning to use this information should first check that the garment selected is suitable for the intended use. To avoid potential chemical exposure, the end-user should discontinue using the garment if a fabric becomes torn, worn, or punctured. Since conditions of use are beyond our control, DUPONT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND ASSUME NO LIABILITY IN CONNECTION WITH ANY USE OF THIS INFORMATION. This information is not intended as a license to operate under or a recommendation to infringe any patent or technical information of DuPont or other persons covering any material or its use.?

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