Occupational Safety and Health

"Plan" means that everyone knows what needs to be done. For this, comprehensive knowledge of the legal regulations as well as other requirements is just as much a prerequisite as the systematic implementation of structured risk assessments. This applies to the reduction of accident and health risks as well as to health promotion.

For continuous improvement of occupational safety and health management, we set targets, if possible according to the SMART principle, and define measures and suitable indicators against which we measure our success. 

All targets, measures and indicators are discussed and defined in appropriate expert committees. They are documented and their effectiveness reviewed at appropriate intervals.

"DO" means implementing what has been planned, from creating the conditions to actually doing it.

A functioning organization is of crucial importance here. It is essential to clearly define and make known the tasks, responsibilities and authorities. This applies to all players: managers and employees, occupational safety specialists, company physicians and health managers, employee representatives and, where necessary, safety, radiation and laser protection officers, etc. Corresponding committees have been set up at every level of thyssenkrupp and hold regular meetings. This ensures good cooperation with close consultation and monitoring.

Other important aspects concern:

Competence and awareness of all those acting, including through training and instruction.

Targeted communication to ensure a seamless flow of information at all levels internally, as well as to customers, suppliers, visitors and the relevant public.

Up-to-date, comprehensible documentation. 

Systematic operational implementation of all measures, taking into account legal requirements, other requirements and the results of the risk assessment.

"CHECK" means to systematically check whether the measures are implemented and the objectives are achieved.

To successfully oversee occupational safety and health management, it is necessary to check at appropriate intervals whether the management system and the measures taken are achieving the desired effect.

At thyssenkrupp we have extensive effectiveness control measures. In addition to regular inspections and so-called "gemba walks", we carry out internal and external audits as well as surveys of our employees and use early and late indicators. Incidents, including near-accidents, are investigated by us according to defined procedures.

Measures are assessed in the check phase, as is the performance of health and safety management overall.

At thyssenkrupp we are doing well, as our accident frequency rate (see below) shows. But we can always do better. That's why the findings from CHECK are incorporated into the next PLAN phase. A continuous improvement process.

"ACT" means consistently exploiting identified potential for improvement.

"ACT" describes the correction process, i.e. our procedure with which we record, evaluate and, above all, process the findings on improvement potential gained from CHECK in a structured manner. This allows us to recognize changes, both large and small, and to react appropriately.

Changes play a special role here. Changed conditions can result, for example, from the use of new technologies or other raw materials and supplies, changed organizational structures, changed employee skills and competencies, new findings on accident and health risks and the associated protective measures, or changed requirements from customers or the public. We must be able to identify relevant changes and further develop our occupational safety and health management in the interests of continuous improvement.