Safety

In order to prevent incidents and accidents, all employees and contractors working under Shell must apply the safety rules in terms of health, safety, security and the environment (HSSE).

Various safety systems have been implemented in the building to prevent the release of toxic or flammable vapours. All experimental work takes place on the east side of the building. An ‘overpressure’ prevents an air flow from the laboratories getting to the atrium and office spaces on the west side (IJ side).

Gases and other hazardous substances are stored as far away from the public space as possible. They only enter the building where they are needed. There is an underground corridor for the safe transport of chemicals. The building is also divided into fire-resistant compartments and there are sprinklers and smoke detectors. Vapours that are released during the lab work are burned in incinerators at ETCA before they are released into the atmosphere. This prevents odours and ensures that no environmentally unfriendly particles end up in the air.

In the exceptional case that an incident occurs, the emergency response organisation of ETCA will be called in the first instance. This consists of four teams of ETCA employees who are on call in shifts. This way the local fire brigade is relieved and moreover the members of ETCAs emergency response organisation know the building and the substances that are used best and are on the spot immediately.