Our commitment to your safety
February 2023
Information to the public in accordance with Article 8a of the Major Accidents Ordinance in conjunction with Annex V, Part 1 of the Major Accidents Ordinance for the site of the
BÜFA Cleaning GmbH & Co. KG
August-Hanken-Straße 30
26125 Oldenburg
GERMANY
Telefon +49 441 9317-251
Telefax +49 441 9317-100
E-Mail cleaning@buefa.de
In 2017, the associated construction work was completed and the operational expansion was approved by the authorities. Since then, as the operator of an operating area that handles hazardous substances, we have been subject to the basic obligations of the twelfth Ordinance on the Implementation of the Federal Immission Control Act (12th BImSchV - StörfallV).
The authorities have been carrying out regular inspections of the BImSchG plant since it was first approved for operation, i.e. since October 28, 1985. With the significant change in operation, the interval between inspections has been shortened in order to monitor the safety of the plant even more closely. Initially, the authorities carried out incident and inspections.
We believe in open and honest dialog - out of responsibility for your safety. Even though we are obliged to do so by law, it is still a personal concern of ours to provide you with an overview of our activities and the hazardous substances we use.Responsible treatment of people and the environment is a matter of course throughout the BÜFA Group. The Cleaning division, which is part of BÜFA GmbH & Co. KG, is constantly investing in the modernization of its site in order to remain at the cutting edge of technology and thus guarantee the development of advanced processes, facilities and operating methods. This ensures- limiting emissions to air, water and soil,
- the guarantee of plant safety
- environmentally friendly waste disposal
This information has been coordinated with the authorities responsible for general hazard prevention and contains the minimum information required by law in accordance with Annex V Part 1 of the Major Accidents Ordinance.
A modern storage system ensures that the approved individual quantities per hazard category and the total quantity of hazardous substances and water-polluting substances present in the operating area are not exceeded.
These are substances to which at least one of the hazards listed below must be attributed. However, a combination of several hazards that apply to one substance is also possible:
Oxidizing
Keep away from flammable substances and do not mix with them. Risk of ignition! Outbreaks of fire can be encouraged, making firefighting more difficult.
Corrosive, corrosive to metals
Take special precautions to avoid contact with eyes, skin and clothing. Do not inhale vapors. Pay attention to material compatibility.
Irritant
Harmful Avoid contact with skin and eyes. Do not inhale vapors.
Dangerous for the environment
Do not allow to enter drains or the environment. Transfer only to liquid-tight, approved surfaces. Dispose of only in hazardous waste.
Despite installed safety technology and experienced and well-trained employees, the risk of an incident can be significantly reduced - but it cannot be ruled out with one hundred percent certainty!
Activities in our operating area
As a chemical company, we primarily serve the processes of developing, manufacturing, storing and shipping disinfectants and cleaning agents. Our plant in Oldenburg-Ohmstede is used for the production, storage and dispatch of chemicals in solid and liquid form. The following sub-processes are carried out:
- Storage and retrieval of packaged inorganic and organic basic chemicals and mixtures as general cargo in our high-bay warehouses or as bulk goods in the tank farm
- Mixing disinfectants and cleaning agents, filling the mixtures into packaging approved under dangerous goods legislation
- Storage and order picking of the sales containers to prepare them for dispatch
- Loading of the picked pallet goods onto trucks from partner forwarding companies and our own vehicle fleet
- Transportation of raw materials or mixtures of materials to our customers with our own fleet of vehicles
Incoming goods
Emptying points for tankers
The substances delivered by tanker are pumped into our raw material tanks in a specially equipped filling hall. Hazardous substances such as acids, alkalis and organic solvents are stored in raw material tanks (storage in stationary containers). They are stored separately according to product groups in separate, fire-protection-separated and secured tank storage areas.
Incoming goods for general cargo
The raw materials and merchandise delivered by piece truck are stored in our high-bay warehouses via the goods-in gates with the help of industrial trucks and automated conveyor technology.Mixing
Mixing containers in production
With the help of a process control system, the raw materials are fed into the mixing containers according to recipes developed by us and the mixtures are homogenized.
Filling into containers
The mixtures are filled into various types of containers (bottles, canisters, drums, IBCs, bags, buckets, cartons), securely sealed and labeled using appropriate filling systems.
Storage and order picking
Storage in portable containers
There are various hazardous goods warehouses for the temporary storage of finished goods. Here too, the products are stored according to product groups in separate storage areas with separate fire protection systems.
Order picking
After automated retrieval, the sales containers are put together for shipping and prepared for transportation or hazardous goods transport.
The loading
Loading takes place primarily on trucks from various partner forwarding companies. We also have our own small fleet of vehicles to deliver to our customers in the surrounding area. Drivers trained in dangerous goods legislation from the forwarding companies and our own drivers bring the shipping packaging to our customers.
Hazardous substances and their classification
Oxidizing
Keep away from flammable substances and do not mix with them. Risk of ignition! Outbreaks of fire can be encouraged, making firefighting more difficult.
Corrosive, corrosive to metals
Take special precautions to avoid contact with eyes, skin and clothing. Do not inhale vapors. Pay attention to material compatibility.
Irritant
Harmful Avoid contact with skin and eyes. Do not inhale vapors.
Dangerous for the environment
Do not allow to enter drains or the environment. Transfer only to liquid-tight, approved surfaces. Dispose of only in hazardous waste.
 | Flammable
Keep away from naked flames, sparks or heat sources. Close containers tightly and store in a fireproof place |
 | Fire-promoting
Keep away from flammable substances and do not mix with them. Risk of ignition! Outbreaks of fire can be encouraged, making firefighting more difficult. |
 | Toxic
Do not inhale, touch or swallow. Wear protective clothing. Any contact with the human body must be avoided, as immediate serious damage to health, possibly resulting in death, cannot be ruled out. |
 | Seriously harmful to health
Inform yourself well before starting work; wear protective clothing and gloves, eye and mouth protection or respiratory protection. Avoid contact with the human body, including inhalation of vapors. Damage to health possible if used improperly. A carcinogenic, mutagenic or reprotoxic effect cannot be completely ruled out for individual substances. |
 | Corrosive, corrosive to metals
Take special precautions to avoid contact with eyes, skin and clothing. Do not inhale vapors. Pay attention to material compatibility. |
 | Irritant; harmful to health
Avoid contact with skin and eyes. Do not inhale vapors. |
 | Environmentally hazardous
Do not allow to enter drains or the environment. Transfer only to liquid-tight, approved surfaces. Dispose of only in hazardous waste. |
The safety devices
The following technical and organizational measures have been taken at our site to prevent incidents and limit their possible effects:
- Limitation of the hazard potential through structural separation and storage of the products according to product groups in separate, fire-protection-separated storage rooms
- Automatic fire detection systems throughout the company with connection to a permanently manned control center (Oldenburg control center)
- Automatic extinguishing systems
- Gas warning systems in the storage and filling area
- Smoke and heat extraction systems
- Lightning protection system
- Liquid-tight and durable collection systems for product and extinguishing water retention
- Security measures against unauthorized access and sabotage
- Regular review of the concept for preventing incidents and the operational alarm and hazard prevention plan
- Operating instructions and annual instruction of employees as well as inspections
- Regular, recurring inspection of safety equipment and systems requiring monitoring by specialist companies or independent experts from a central monitoring body
- Systematic and scheduled monitoring (inspection in accordance with § 16 Hazardous Incident Ordinance) by the specialist authorities
And if it does happen? - The unlikely occurrence of an incident
Every technical system has a small residual risk that can lead to product releases or even fires.
In the event of a fire or explosion, the measures in our prepared company alarm and hazard prevention plan come into effect. These measures are coordinated with the responsible authorities. The local fire department has access to the company alarm and emergency response plan.
If faults or alarms occur outside of operating hours, an automatic reporting system is triggered via a permanently manned point. This ensures that in the event of a malfunction, the responsible specialists are informed promptly and the necessary countermeasures are initiated.
What to do in the event of a chemical accident
Please observe the following instructions. By doing so, you are contributing to your own safety and that of others.
You perceive dangers yourself through:
- Visible/audible signs such as fire, smoke, explosion/loud bang or
- Unusual odor perceptions, e.g. acrid, pungent odor
Alarm signals and information:
- Siren signals (plant-wide fire and evacuation alarm)
- Loudspeaker announcements from the fire department or police
- Radio announcements
Always stay away from the scene of the accident! Smoke clouds may contain hazardous decomposition products. Avoid direct inhalation.
Enter the building. Close windows and doors. Switch off ventilation and air conditioning systems.FIGURE 1: In case of danger, enter the building, close doors and windows.
If an acrid or pungent odor occurs, hold wet cloths over mouth and nose. Contact a doctor if you feel unwell.
Only leave the building or other protected areas when the all-clear is given! Listen out for all-clear announcements over loudspeakers or the radio.Info phone: Head office+ 49 441 9317 0
Heb je vragen of ondersteuning nodig?
Contactformulier
Neem contact met ons op!
Wil je een persoonlijk advies, aanvullende informatie of wil je ons een vraag stellen? Neem gerust contact met ons op!
