Why Sean Cammaert focuses on the people who 'never handled chemicals before'
In the fast-paced and high-stakes world of chemical production, safety isn't just a priority—it's a fundamental necessity. Leading the charge in this crucial aspect is Sean Cammaert, head of safety for BASF Canada.
Recently, BASF Canada was honored with the prestigious Canada's Safest Employers Award for being the safest chemical employer in 2023. They also awarded as one of Best Safety Culture in the Workplace in Canada in the 5-Star Safety Cultures survey.
Cammaert describes the rigorous process involved in earning such recognition. "Part of the application process is we have to share and show a lot of how our programs are impacting our safety culture," he says. "We had to demonstrate that our efforts are reducing our Total Recordable Incident Rate (TR IR) and, more importantly, the severity of incidents."
As one of the largest chemical producers globally, BASF faces unique challenges in ensuring safety. "We must have very robust policies, procedures, and SOPs in place... we also try to identify where it makes sense to substitute chemicals with less hazardous products to reduce exposure to employees and the environment," explains Cammaert.
One of the primary concerns for Cammaert is the influx of new workers, particularly summer students and interns. "We have a lot of students coming in that are very interested in biology and agriculture," he notes. "They've never handled chemicals before... that's what keeps me up at night."
To address this, BASF has developed an extensive onboarding process, ensuring new workers undergo comprehensive training and are buddied with experienced staff until they demonstrate competency. Cammaert emphasizes the importance of robust training and understanding the consequences of not following safety protocols.
The significance of winning the safety award resonates deeply with Cammaert. "It's a great recognition for our colleagues, team members, supervisors, and employees," he says. "It's their award because they're the ones demonstrating safe behaviors every single day."
Moreover, the award serves as an enabler for BASF, enhancing its reputation and credibility in the industry. "It goes a long way when we're pitching for new business," Cammaert acknowledges.
Internally, the response to winning the award was overwhelmingly positive. "We got tons of feedback from all levels of the organization congratulating each other... we even go above and beyond by sharing plaques with every site to acknowledge their hard work."
Looking ahead, BASF remains committed to maintaining its exemplary safety standards. Cammaert reveals, "we're actively trying to get nominations for this year's awards... it's all part of our ongoing effort to prioritize safety in everything we do."
As the chemical industry continues to evolve, BASF Canada sets the bar high for others to follow.
