Well-defined processes and seamless coordination are essential when emergencies occur. To ensure exactly that, employees at the Mixing Facility in Weinheim recently took part in a series of joint emergency drills with the plant fire department. Held over several Saturdays in January, the exercises were designed to strengthen cooperation between all parties involved and further enhance safety at the site.
Regular emergency drills are a core element of the rescue concept for rolling mills at Freudenberg Sealing Technologies (FST) and the Freudenberg Service (FSE) plant fire department. During three intensive training sessions, the Mixing Facility became the focus of realistic, hands-on preparation. Participants concentrated on gaining a deeper understanding of complex systems, identifying potential risks, and practicing coordinated action under emergency conditions.
The program began with a comprehensive theoretical briefing. Frank Schepula, electrical engineer at Competence Center Mixing, provided detailed insight into the operation of the mixing facility’s machinery for members of the plant fire department and the occupational health service. Rolling mills, in particular, pose risks due to their complex mechanical and hydraulic systems. A thorough technical understanding is therefore critical, as malfunctions can quickly escalate into dangerous situations. In addition to explaining machine design and operating principles, the session covered access points, emergency shut-off systems, and key technical features, as well as potential fault scenarios requiring rapid and safe intervention.
This was followed by a practical exercise based on a realistic emergency scenario. The drill simulated a roller incident in which a person was assumed to be trapped in a hazardous area. Production staff and the plant fire department worked closely together to rehearse every step, from immediate on-site measures and internal communication to coordination with emergency services and the safe rescue of the affected individual. The correct use of technical equipment, as well as securing the machinery and surrounding area, was also an integral part of the exercise.
“The drills clearly showed how crucial defined roles, coordinated procedures, and mutual understanding are,” said Annette Reisner-Schaab, HSE Manager at the Mixing Facility in Weinheim. “The exchange between the plant teams and the plant fire department was open, constructive, and outcome-driven.” This close cooperation is essential to ensuring fast, targeted, and safe action in an emergency.
The emergency drills confirmed that collaboration between all involved parties is working effectively and continues to improve. As such, they make a significant contribution to workplace safety at the Weinheim site and underscore the high priority FST places on protecting its employees.
