DOW - Alliance Close-Out Report - January 13, 2010

OSHA and The Dow Chemical Company Alliance
Close-Out Report

On January 13, 2003, OSHA and The Dow Chemical Company formed an Alliance to enhance a culture of prevention while sharing process practices and technical knowledge in the areas of process safety management, safety and health management systems, emergency preparedness, and employee wellness programs. The Alliance was renewed on May 26, 2004, May 12, 2006 and June 27, 2008.

Based on discussions regarding the future of the Alliance, OSHA and The Dow Chemical Company agreed to retroactively conclude the agreement as of January 13, 2010. A number of successes resulted from OSHA and The Dow Chemical Company working together to meet the Alliance's goals. For example:

  • Through the Alliance, The Dow Chemical Company and OSHA developed five case studies. Several of the case studies describe Dow's approach to identifying and implementing solution through the company use of Six Sigma Methodology.

  • Through the Alliance, The Dow Chemical Company participated in the development of OSHA's Ammonia Refrigeration eTool. This product provides a means to identify and control the hazards associated with the operation and maintenance of ammonia refrigeration systems that will help protect employees' health and safety, particularly in reducing exposure to anhydrous ammonia.

  • The Dow Chemical Company help to organize and sponsor the workshop "Managing Chemical Reactivity Hazards: A Workshop for Non-Chemists." This workshop was presented at the Chlorine Institute's 2005 Fall Meeting in Atlanta, Georgia on September 26, 2005 and again at the Center for Chemical Process Safety (CCPS) Technical Steering Committee Meeting in Houston, Texas, on January 13, 2006.

  • OSHA and The Dow Chemical Company Alliance developed a workshop, "OSHA's Process Safety Management (PSM) Standard: The Dow Approach." This workshop discusses the various aspects of the Process Safety Management standard, including process safety information, process hazard analysis procedures, change management and details how The Dow Chemical Company implements the PSM Standard in its workplaces.

Report Prepared by: Morgan Seuberling, Safety and Occupational Health Specialist, Office of Outreach Services and Alliances, March 4, 2010.