Occupational health and safety
- German plants receive the 2021 Corporate Health Award for their innovative, integrative, and participatory approach
- The “Safe Work@Schaeffler” project was launched in the reporting year to raise awareness of occupational safety
Actively promoting health
Bestandteil des GNFK StartThe Schaeffler Group’s employees play a key role in the company’s success and are therefore its most important asset, which is why the working environment should be safe and healthy for all employees. At the same time, the working world is dominated by fundamental technological upheavals, growing competition around the world, and demographic change, ultimately leading to an aging workforce with increasing musculoskeletal complaints.
In addition to the Schaeffler Group’s Corporate Health Management (CHM), regional SEHS coordinators are planning relevant projects. In addition, local CHM coordinators are also organizing measures at all Schaeffler locations.
To ensure the physical and mental well-being of all its employees, the Schaeffler Group’s occupational health and safety relies first and foremost on preventive, tailored, target group-oriented, and health-promoting measures, which include medical checkups, online courses, and virtual training offered both during and outside of working hours. The measures target general workplace stress, e.g., shift-specific challenges, psychological demands, as well as workplace ergonomics, and are aimed at promoting healthy behavior.
CHM guidelines have been developed to ensure consistent quality at all locations and serve as a foundation for the CHM coordinators. CHM is based on the framework guidelines of the Luxembourg Declaration on Workplace Health Promotion in the European Union.Bestandteil des GNFK Ende
Reducing stress at the workplace
Bestandteil des GNFK StartSchaeffler health management takes target group requirements and current issues into account to effectively reduce workplace stress and implement consistent standards.
As part of the “Active Back Pit Stop” (“Boxenstopp Rücken aktiv”) program, regular corrective training courses were continued in close proximity to the workplace in the year under review. Experts teach the exercises to selected employees, who then act as multipliers, ensuring the exercises can be used over the long term.
Absences increased in 2021 due to psychological stress resulting from pandemic-related uncertainty and social distancing, among other things. The Schaeffler Group increasingly responded with online training courses on the topic of “mental health at the workplace” and by informing employees of internal and external counseling options. The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) has promoted employee mental health in Greater China since 2020, offering professional counseling for a variety of problems. The program is always growing and in 2021 was expanded to include family members as well as an app that offers advice on issues such as nutrition and health. Over a period of around two years, more than 8,000 employees took advantage of the EAP, which enjoys a satisfaction rate of over 95 %.
In 2021, the Sustainable Sites initiative focused on improving employee retention, satisfaction, and health on a local basis. Health centers were also set up and expanded at several locations and offer space for training courses, therapy, and sports classes. The successful Health & Ergo Scout project forms the core of the services, providing employees with preventive support locally and helping others return to work after an absenceBestandteil des GNFK Ende.
German plants receive the 2021 Corporate Health Award
During the award ceremony, the Group’s Corporate Health Management was praised for being innovative, integrative, and participatory, due in large part to its implementation of the Schaeffler Health Coach as well as long-standing services such as the “Active Back Pit Stop” program and the Schaeffler Health & Ergo Scout. The jury and advisory board were most impressed with the long-term effectiveness and continuous development.
Consistently high occupational safety standards worldwide
Bestandteil des GNFK Start In order to comply with legal requirements and to further develop internal processes and standards for occupational health and safety, the Schaeffler Group uses a comprehensive Energy, Environment, Health & Safety (EnEHS) management system. This takes a variety of factors into account, including international occupational safety standards, and is audited Group-wide in accordance with ISO 45001. Audits that could not be conducted on-site in 2021 were carried out digitally, with local interaction reduced to a minimum.
100 %
of all production sites are ISO 45001 certified1)
The coverage rate1) according to ISO 45001 is 100 % (prior year: 99.7 %) and has an impact not only on the company’s own workforce, but also, e.g., on service providers that work at a Schaeffler location.
According to the EnEHS management system, all managers and employees are required to comply with occupational safety regulations. They are also obliged to report unsafe situations or hazards to their supervisors. Potential dangers are identified using task and workplace-related risk assessments and evaluated to determine whether countermeasures need to be established. Managers are advised by specialists in occupational safety at the respective production sites when carrying out their responsibilities. The results of the discussions are reviewed regularly with the relevant members of the Executive Board. If necessary, further action will be taken. This ensures the ongoing development of the EnEHS management system.
The Schaeffler Group is committed to reducing occupational accidents annually by an average of 10 % until 2024. The accident rate (LTIR)2) was reduced to 3.9 (prior year: 4.6) during the reporting period, dropping by at least 10 % for the fifth year in a row. The “Safe Work@Schaeffler” project was initiated to achieve this strategic target. The idea is to raise awareness of occupational safety among all employees and managers. Human error resulting from inattentiveness, e.g., is responsible for around 70 % of all work accidents. Observing coronavirus measures, the project kicked off at five pilot locations in Germany in the year under review and will be rolled out at additional locations next year.
An accident map was also created to identify location, time, and task-related focus areas at the plant. In addition, plant-specific measures were developed based on four safety assessments. Within this context, 47 safety awareness training courses, including coaching, were carried out.Bestandteil des GNFK Ende
Occupational health during the coronavirus pandemic
With its coronavirus vaccination campaign, the Schaeffler Group played a key role in ensuring the health of employees and their families around the world. For example, the company set up vaccination centers at larger locations like Herzogenaurach and Schweinfurt and has managed to vaccinate around 22,000 employees in Europe since June 2021.
Having set up a production line for medical masks in 2020, the company commissioned a line for FFP2 masks in 2021. The plants fully cover the Schaeffler Group’s demand for protective masks.
More information on Schaeffler crisis management
1) Relating to employees on the production sites.
2) Measurement: Lost Time Injury Rate, LTIR = occupational accidents from one lost day per 1 million hours worked. Employees, including temporary staff, apprentices, and interns.