On Nov. 15, the Crop Protection unit of the La Porte, Texas, DuPont facility experienced a release of methyl mercaptan, which resulted in the tragic deaths of four employees.
• There was no danger to people located outside the La Porte facility.
• DuPont is working closely with local, state and federal authorities to determine the cause of this incident.
• A top to bottom internal investigation will also be conducted to understand exactly what happened, and ensure that nothing like this happens again.
It’s important for all teams to talk about the situation and remind ourselves of the importance of our safety Core Value.
• Our commitment to safety is at the heart of our organization, and our responsibility to provide a safe work environment is a fundamental Core Value of DuPont.
• While pausing to reflect on this tragic loss of life, remind yourself to “take two” and consider possible safety hazards before beginning any job. No matter how big or small the job, always keep safety at the forefront of your mind.
• We must work together so that we can move forward and learn from this event.
Let’s work together and support each other so that we live by our Core Values.
• We must never take safety for granted.
• Situations like this serve as a reminder to how vulnerable we are.
• Consider the implications of your own behavior and the potential impact to yourself and others.
• Take time to reaffirm your “commitment to zero.”