Work related accidents and illnesses rank high on the global list of health problems. According to estimates by the International Labor Organization (ILO), every day about 6,000 people die from this – which means that they account for 2.3 million deaths per year throughout the world. The ILO, a United Nations organization, is responsible for the formulation and enforcement of international labor and social standards.
Because of this, 14 years ago the ILO declared 28 April as the World Day for Safety and Health at Work. LANXESS also participates: Throughout the world, on 28 April 2017, employees will be called on to support the company vision of “zero accidents”.
Global information campaign
FA unifying element is a poster which was specially designed for this day, with the slogan: “We believe: all accidents are avoidable” Locations all over the world will receive posters which are to be signed by as many employees as possible, from the management to the shop floor. At the company headquarters in Cologne, members of the Board of Directors will sign the poster personally.
For example, at the locations on the Lower Rhine, small groups of Xact representatives or coordinators, management representatives and members of the Works Council will visit the control rooms and talk to employees about this year’s motto. In addition, speed checks are being carried out at the plants in Leverkusen, Dortmund and Uerdingen. Furthermore, training in workplace ergonomics is being offered at the group’s head office.
Active for safety
To ensure that work at LANXESS is safe, six general safety rules apply within the group throughout the world, which are aimed at prevention and therefore avoiding accidents. All employees are urged to follow these rules:
- I always take time for safety.
- I pay attention to my safety and that of my colleagues.
- I refuse jobs that I cannot carry out safely.
- I openly say when situations are unsafe.
- I take action when I see a breach of safety regulations.
- I do not give instructions for unsafe actions
These safety rules are the core content of the Xact safety program, which the group initiated globally in 2011 to improve work safety at LANXESS. The program aims to improve safety at work, safety of processes and safety at the plant, as well as to protect health and the environment.
“Especially in Germany, too many employees still doubt that all accidents are avoidable. We want to break down this skepticism and convince our colleagues by means of discussions. It does not matter who caused the accident, whether myself or someone else in the causal chain. Experience from accident follow-up shows: Someone could have influenced the cause of the accident with their conduct or action. Prevention is the key to our road to “zero incidents,” emphasizes Xact Leader Gerd Zelesny.
You can find further information under https://webmagazine.lanxess.com/work-well-but-safely/
