Occupational health and safety at our producers

VAUDE has its own CSR team for our most important production countries and this team has been highly trained in the field of occupational safety. They can advise and support our producers in health and safety implementation.

An obligation in and of itself is not enough, of course. Therefore, all of our producers are regularly and independently audited by organizations such as the Fair Wear Foundation and our own CSR Team oversee. Auditors carefully examine all issues relating to occupational safety and health. The results of these checks are verified by document checks as well as interviews outside and within the production facility.

Reviews of FWF audits show that the majority of audit findings continue to relate to the issue of occupational safety. This is partly because the management and the workers lack an awareness and knowledge of occupational health and safety. Moreover, in the producing countries, although strict laws and occupational safety regulations do exist, there are no institutions that monitor companies in this regard (and when needed, penalizes them) such as the Employer’s Liability Insurance Association here in Germany.

The health of the workers who make our products is very important to us. So we are working together intensively with our producers to improve working conditions.

• Our local CSR employees are familiar with occupational safety and the applicable laws and support and supervise our producers in remedying findings.
  
• In addition to the audits and follow-up visits, each producer is checked by us once a year regarding occupational safety.
  
• Producers have participated in trainings on the theme of occupational safety such as those offered by Better Work or SMART.