An external expert for occupational safety and a company physician advise and support VAUDE in the conception, implementation and review of all aspects of fire protection and occupational safety.
Altogether, eight employees serve as Safety Officers to ensure the safety of employees across all company divisions – they are deeply familiar with the processes in their own departments, are confronted daily with the working conditions there, and are familiar with the problems or dangers that can arise. They motivate their colleagues toward safe work practices and immediately inform their managers of any defects or hazards.
They also participate in regular inspections of all company divisions to monitor adherence to regulations and the existence of risks.
The internal coordinator for occupational safety reports directly to the executive management. As a contact person for internal and external groups, this person keeps VAUDE's occupational health and safety systems running.
In addition, the coordinator moderates the quarterly meetings of the Committee for Occupational Safety (ASA), which is made up of the external Occupational Safety Specialist, Safety Representatives and the senior management, the Head of Logistics Assistants, Maintenance and Manufacturing, the Occupational Health Management Coordinator and the company physician.
All managers are trained annually regarding industrial safety and health protection. Both legal requirements and safety-related expertise are conveyed. In 2017 this training fully reflected risk assessment for the different areas of activity.
With guidance from the Occupational Safety Specialist, managers also address potential physical and psychological stress at work that could lead to accidents or occupational illnesses.
Managers and employees are trained in risk assessment so that they can recognize early signs of physical or psychological stress at work and take counter measures.
All employees who have missed more than six weeks of work due to illness in the past 12 months are offered an occupational reintegration program. An open discussion takes place covering any needs the employee has for reintegration into their job and what can be done to avoid future absences.
An external company physician is regularly available on-site as a contact person. In addition to required medical examinations (e.g. for forklift drivers or childcare employees) a variety of voluntary preventative services are offered: health protection for travel to regions with special climate-related conditions, computer monitor vision assistance, as well as employee vaccinations can all be discussed and treated during working hours.
Nevertheless, if health issues arise, employees, managers, the company physician and the personnel department work together to find constructive solutions and to remedy the causes and symptoms.
VAUDE keeps a digital record of accidents. Each injury or accident that occurred during working hours or on the way to work is documented here. These are evaluated annually by the Occupational Safety Committee and measures for prevention are defined.
| GRI: | 103 |
| GRI: | 403-2 |
