Integration and Reflection - Essay Example

Atlana Company Employee Working Conditions submitted Altana AG is a chemical company located in Wesel Germany. It postulates and generates products in specialty chemical commerce. The company sells 84% of its products worldwide. Altana comprises of four divisions: ECKART Effect Pigments, ACTEGA Sealants and Coatings, BYK Instrument and Additives, and ELANTAS Electrical insulation (Dopke, 2007).The most dangerous job at Altana AG Company is working under the division of ECKART Effect pigment. This division manufactures PVD products, which involves the use of solvent-based coating system such as the optical density (OD) light.

At the other end of the processing in ECKART, are the thinnest pigments with an OD of 0.6 which is dark metallic in physical appearance (Dopke, 2007). These metals and chemicals are harmful to human health. Employees who work in ECKART department may be exposed to these potential harmful metals, pigment and chemicals.The main threat to employees in ECKART division of Altana Company is association with exposure to cadmium. This metal has been extensively studied, and its effects on human healthy have been reviewed for several times by international bodies such as WHO.

Cadmium appears naturally in ore together with copper, zinc and lead. Cadmium compounds function as stabilizers in several alloys, PVC products, color pigment and presently commonly, in re-chargeable nickel-cadmium batteries (Dopke, 2007).Inhalations of cadmium particles are life threatening, and even though deaths and acute pulmonary effects are rare, sporadic scenarios still happen. As a result of high cadmium exposure, employees in ECKART may experience kidney damage or kidney failure. The first sign of the renal lesion is a tubular malfunction, evidenced by an up surged excretion of low enzymes or proteins.

From research carried out this disorder is reversible; however, there are overwhelming confirmations that cadmium prompted tubular is indeed irreversible. In other words working in ECKART depart of Altana Company is extremely dangerous to its employees.Working under such condition can be dangerous; however the employees of Altana are adequately informed of the risks. Altana management body through environment, health and safety organizations (EHS), not only does it teach employees the role of chemicals production method, but also encourage them to attend Company-mandated education events (Dopke, 2007).

These events are held every three months. In these meetings the management body addresses topics such as dangerous substances, and hazardous waste, and occupational health system.As a result, EHS body serves in an advisory capacity to the Altana executive management. EHS body ensures that Altana Company use energy, water and other resources with regard to the environs and that all applicable legal requirements and standards are fulfilled in production and for the emission and disposal of harmful materials.

In conclusion, Altana employees are well advised on the best approach to comply with personal safety and environmental guidelines (Dopke, 2007).In this situation, the risks are acceptable and reasonable as the company provide safety materials and education to its associates. For instance, Altana Company has implemented all required occupational health measures. For example, the storage of methylene diphenyl diisocyate (MDI) in Wesel underwent vital advancement. Also, the substance denoted as carcinogen, used to be stored in pulverized form, however, the risk of dirt increase could not be left out by the EHS body.

Currently, MDI is supplied in insulated and heated containers and inflated into tanks through closed pipes in order to avoid leakage of MDI into the air. All this advancement and consideration enables Altana Company to avoid risks as a result of chemical and metal exposure (Dopke, 2007).In conclusion, Altana executive body bears the consequences of its actions. Based on the company’s goals, Altana executive body take responsibility for the tasks assigned to the body and its employees action.

Altana Company recognizes its employees and ensures all protocols are followed by everyone.ReferencesDopke, S. (2007). Altana, Specialty Chemicals: Company Research. Hamburg: M. M. Warburg, Investment Research.