Beyond the fence line: Safety in action
At LyondellBasell, safety isn’t just a priority, it’s a value. It’s part of who we are. It’s in our DNA. That commitment doesn’t stop at the gate. It goes home with us, and into our communities. Two recent rescues show what that looks like in action.
A Friday night in Seabrook, Texas
Andy Castiglione, Director Global Turnaround and Assistant Chief of the Seabrook Volunteer Fire Department, was relaxing at home with his wife when his radio crackled: a car had plunged into the channel near Seabrook Marina. Within minutes, Andy was on scene. The car was sinking fast. A young woman was trapped inside.
“I put on my life jacket, grabbed my rescue gear and jumped in,” Andy said. “She was panicked, but I broke the glass, calmed her down and pulled her out.” The water was cold and the car was going under. Andy used a rescue rope to pull both of them to shore, holding her against the rocks until help arrived. “I could feel my legs being pulled as the car sank,” he said. “But I had my gear and my training. That’s what kept us safe.”
Andy credits his extensive training – from the Marine Corps, volunteer fire departments, among others – and teamwork for the successful rescue. These things turn out well because a lot of people do the right thing,” he said. “It’s not about me. There are dozens of LYB employees who volunteer in their communities every day.”
A day on Galveston Bay, Texas
Channelview employees Jared Keene, Emergency Response Specialist and Emmett Story III, HSE Principal Specialist, were each enjoying a day on the water with their families when they happened to meet at a sandbar near Moody Gardens. After spending time together, they began heading back toward the dock when they noticed a stranded boat. They stopped to help, unaware that the situation was about to turn critical. Shortly after assisting the boat, they saw a teenage boy struggling in deep water. Moments later, he was face down and motionless.
“We didn’t hesitate, we both immediately jumped in to help,” Jared said.
The two men fought the current in 12 feet of water, treading water while holding the boy’s head above the surface. “He was limp and for a moment, I thought we were about to start CPR while treading water,” Jared recalled. Emmett added, “Our instincts and training just kicked in. There was no time to think.”
Family members tossed cushions to help keep them afloat until the boy’s boat finally reached them. “We told his parents, ‘You need to get him to shore now,’” Emmett said. “If we hadn’t been there, this could have ended very differently.” Thanks to their quick action and training, the boy and his family made it safely back to the dock.
Both men serve on Channelview’s Emergency Response Team and volunteer outside of work. Their advice: always be prepared. “Know your surroundings. Know where your safety equipment is. And make sure everyone on your boat knows how to use it,” Jared said.
Doing the right thing always
Andy, Jared and Emmett didn’t respond to these events for recognition. They acted because it was the right thing to do. That’s what safety looks like at LYB on the job and beyond. It’s why we invest in training, empower our people and support volunteerism. Because when the unexpected happens, preparation saves lives.
Together, we drive safety beyond the workplace.
