D. LOEFFLER (1); (1) Loeffler Chemical Corporation, Atlanta, GA, U.S.A.
Brewery Safety
Saturday, June 7 - 8:00 a.m.-9:45 a.m.
Level 3, Crystal Room
As breweries continue to grow in the United States, safety often takes a back seat. In particular, the interactions between various chemical products and processing equipment are often poorly understood. To make matters worse, very few educational resources are available, and the results are often injuries and damage, some severe, to the equipment. This presentation will give an overview of hazardous chemical interactions commonly found in breweries, as well as damage resulting from incorrect usage of chemicals and process aids. Simple things such as hot and old water or carbon dioxide and cleaning chemicals can lead to sometimes disastrous results. This presentation discusses how to prevent these hazardous interactions and will also give a quick overview of OSHA regulations, such as HazCom and its newly adopted GHS regulations. Personal protective equipment, spill prevention and response, and various response plans will be discussed, as well as the responsibilities of both employer and employee.
Dirk Loeffler is the technical director of Loeffler Chemical Corporation, a chemical company specializing in sanitation products and chemical automation for breweries with corporate offices in Atlanta, GA. In his position, Dirk continuously develops and implements new products, product applications, and cleaning technologies. Born and raised in Cologne, Germany, Dirk came to the United States in 1992 to lay the groundwork for the U.S. operations of Loeffler, resulting in the incorporation of Loeffler Chemical Corporation in 1994. Dirk graduated with a business degree in Germany. After his military service, he worked several years for Chemische Fabrik Kalk in Cologne before joining the family business, where he worked in technical sales and research and development. Dirk lives in Atlanta, GA, with his wife Alexis and their twin boys, Kai and Sebastian, and their dog, Elvis. He has been an active member of MBAA since 1993 and currently serves as the membership chair for the District Mid-South. Dirk is also an active member of the Brewers Association and the American Society of Brewing Chemists.
