Louisiana Operations - Plaquemine
At Louisiana Operations in Plaquemine, most of the plants are operational or are in the process of being brought back online. Yesterday, August 30, was considered a normal workday, and most employees were able to report to work. It was stressed that SAFETY is the number one priority as the site works to come back to full operation. Employees were also urged to make sure their families were safe and secure from the hurricane aftermath and to only report to work if they could safely do so. Today, August 31, is also a normal workday, and most employees are reporting to work at the Plaquemine site. All marine and rail transportation has been shutdown to the area and the Louisiana Operations site due to the effects of Hurricane Katrina.
St. Charles Operations - Hahnville
The St. Charles Operations Hurricane Squad is continuing to assess the site and to coordinate resources to get necessary repairs made. Many facilities are still without power and the basic facilities are not up and running at the Site.
In addition, it is estimated that the majority of SCO employees were under mandatory hurricane evacuation and have been unable to return to their homes. More than 300 employees were in the most affected areas: St. John, Orleans, Jefferson, Plaquemines, St. Tammany, and Tangipahoa parishes. We do not know how many employees suffered damages, but many may find damages to their homes. No residential electrical power has been restored to these areas yet.
Non-essential personnel do not need to report to work at St. Charles Operations until further notice. The site is stable at this time and, given availability of power and utilities will be coming back on line safely as soon as practical.
Phone service has not been restored at the site yet. SCO employees have been asked to contact the 1-877-623-8079 for updates. The SCO Site Communications Recording line, 985-783-4555, will continue to be updated daily or more frequently if the need arises. This will generally occur in early afternoon around 2 or 3 p.m.
SCO employees should attempt to contact their leader and/or team on site, to determine if they are considered a critical resource to help the recovery of the Site. (Employees that are unable to contact their leader should call the Dow Hotline number listed above). All SCO personnel should take care of their personal safety and that of their families as a first priority. The Site is working closely with local officials to coordinate and communicate information as it becomes available, but communications throughout the parish are extremely limited.
Employees that have housing needs should contact:
For information on hotel availability and road conditions:
St. Charles Operations Site Leader Nawzer Parakh stressed that SAFETY is the Number One focus, "Many of our employees are facing a lot of anxiety, because they may not know the status of some of their family members and their homes. I'd like for everyone to remember them at this time in their thoughts and prayers. I'd also like to thank everyone on the SCO Hurricane Squad for the excellent work they are doing during this extremely difficult time. The St. Charles Operations site will continue to emphasize that the safety of our employees is our No. 1 Priority, and all decisions are being made with that as our focus."
SAFETY FIRST … Let's continue our drive to ZERO. Maintain our focus on every task we do – every day at work and at home! |
