SABIC consciously chooses the track because of a high level of safety

The SABIC employees Judith Kleinen, Category manager Sourcing & Contracting and Henk Bril, Transport & Safety expert are speaking.

100% Security idea

“ SABIC is the 4th chemical company in the world with approximately 36,000 employees. In view of our own employees and people, animals and the environment in the vicinity of our factories, safety is in our blood and everything we do is imbued with a 100% safety idea. It is SABIC’s business philosophy to consider suppliers as chain partners and to provide good products and services with them. This applies to both quality and safety. That is why SABIC is happy to share knowledge and experience with partners. In this way we strengthen the safety chain by addressing each other’s responsibility with regard to safety. From Chemelot in Geleen, where one of our production locations is allocated, approximately 600 kton product is supplied and removed annually in boiler wagons from suppliers and other factories of SABIC as well as to customers. It is essential that this is done safely.

Exclude risks as much as possible

SABIC works with risk analysis methods that are applied to our external rail transport in collaboration with the rail freight carriers. These systems are very transparent and based on real measurements and KPIs. In this way, there is an objective way to work together for better quality and, above all, for better safety, so that risks are excluded as much as possible. The risk analysis methods used are cyclic systems. So when we have finished measuring and assessing, we just start again, just like with changes (‘ Management of Change ’). We are never done with safety.

Basic network

Although we are quite satisfied with the track and the safety of the track in itself, there are also a number of points for improvement. We consider a number of risk ceilings mentioned in the Basic Net to be too low given the developments at world level, which have made routing different from what was foreseen when the Basic Net was created. When these ceilings are reached, trains have to detour or we have to use other modalities, but that is not always possible and / or safer. We will certainly contribute this to the evaluation of the Basic Network.

ERTMS

We would also see the ERTMS security system implemented everywhere as soon as possible. It must be prevented that an unsafe situation can still arise due to human failure. It is a pity that every country has introduced its own variant against the agreements. This is not efficient and makes the track unnecessarily expensive. Nevertheless, we consciously choose the track for safety reasons, but as said before, safety remains a top priority at all times and you are never done with it.