INFORM April 2026

22 INFORM APRIL 2026 , VOL. 37, NO. 4

WHEN DISASTER STRIKES: ENSURING SAFETY IN OILSEED PROCESSING George Hale

Soybeans are a crucial part of the world’s food, agriculture, and industrial systems; however, the soybean’s journey from crop to oil is full of hazards ranging from chemical spills to fires and explosions caused by airborne dust. Because of this, oilseed processors rely on highly trained personnel, specialized safety equipment, and emergency action plans (EAP) designed to prevent safety incidents, protect people and infrastructure, and ensure a safe and rapid recovery should the unthinkable happen.

who can give more information about the plan and employee duties and outlining procedures for reporting an emergency, evacuating personnel or taking shelter, and accounting for employees after evacuation. “Basically, if there is an event, you need plant personnel to know where they should go and who should contact local authorities,” said Matthew Williamson, Director of Engineering at EDF Engineering. ACCORDING TO PLAN Developing and writing an EAP often falls on the facility’s safety department, with training departments playing a heavy role in many cases. OSHA provides guidance for making an EAP that can serve as a

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), which oversees workplace safety in the United States, requires certain employers to have an EAP. The purpose of an EAP is to prepare personnel for workplace emergencies to reduce the risk of severe injury or death, infrastructure damage, and prolonged loss of operations. Organizations with 10 or fewer employees can communicate their EAP with employees verbally, but larger employers must have a written plan that is kept on site and available for employees to review. OSHA regulations define what must be included in an EAP at a minimum. This includes identifying points of contact