Europe’s biggest rail freight operator DB Cargo and chemicals customer Evonik have held a series of open training days to demonstrate the emphasis put on rail safety in chemicals logistics. Chemiepark Marl, one of Germany’s largest chemical sites, staged the events, which featured simulations of hazardous substance incidents.

As well as providing essential safety information to staff who deal with transhipments of chemicals at the chemical park every day, the week-long event was also designed to raise awareness of how to handle special equipment. DB Cargo says that as a market leader on safety, it shares expert knowledge with its customers who in turn can provide valuable feedback to the rail freight company.

Unique

DB Cargo BTT, the company’s dedicated chemical and hazardous goods logistics arm, has been organising these Rail Safety Days at chemical customers’ sites since 2014. It said they were unique because they brought together all the relevant players in the chain: infrastructure operators, safety organisations, and representatives from industry, government and the media.

The company’s staff in Marl were given intensive training at the chemical park. Realistic simulations provided opportunities to practise containing hazardous substances and sealing off leaks, and carrying out other hazard prevention exercises. Specialist events with experts provided a chance to discuss telematics, digitisation and sustainability. In one demonstration, the chemical park’s fire brigade displayed all its expertise by emptying a compressed gas tank wagon in an emergency situation.

‘Safety culture’

Dr Jorg Harren, Site Manager at Chemipark Marl, said: “At the chemical park we have a living safety culture that we continuously keep up to date with regular events in all safety-relevant areas. We want our staff to be safe when they arrive at work in the morning, and we want them all to be able to go home unharmed when they finish work at night. We also aim to live up to this standard when transporting freight outside the chemical park and in terms of protecting the neighbouring population. The Rail Safety Days are therefore a key event for rail transport safety.”