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.
In addition, all our producers are obligated to ensure safe working conditions and health protection. The obligation is as follows:
“A safe and hygienic working environment shall be provided, and best occupational health and safety practice shall be promoted, bearing in mind the prevailing knowledge of the industry and of any specific hazards. Appropriate attention shall be paid to occupational hazards specific to this branch of the industry and assure that a safe and hygienic work environment is provided for. Effective regulations shall be implemented to prevent accidents and minimize health risks as much as possible (following ILO Convention 155). Physical abuse, threats of physical abuse, unusual punishments or discipline, sexual and other harassment, and intimidation by the employer is strictly prohibited.”
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. Auditors carefully examine all issues relating to occupational safety and health. The results of these audits are verified by document assessments 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 sometimes due to the fact that the management and 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, we also evaluate each producer once a year regarding occupational safety.
