Fit on the job
We will review our approach to safety and extend
the scope of our safety management to the areas
outside production
Safety is one of the areas included in our sustainability
approach for the next decade. The expansion of our
occupational health and safety efforts to all employees
is covered by the plans made in this context. For further
information on targets and actions, please see the final
chapter on page 36 relating to our future agenda.
We made good progress in the area of Occupational
Health and Safety requirements for greenfield operations.
An Occupational Health and Safety analysis is now standard
practice for all greenfield operations with additional
requirements now including safety equipment, first aid
availability and an emergency response plan.
We will improve communication on road traffic safety
and vehicle safety at our sites
Road safety was part of the Year of Safety in the Africa
and Middle East Region. The issue of road safety was also
addressed during the medical conference for Western
Europe that took place in December 2009. Other issues,
such as vehicle safety and safe driving were addressed.
Programmes will be rolled out in 2010, and given the poor
rate of road traffic accidents in 2009, will require increased
management focus.
Austria
Susanne Rief
Health Manager
The success of BrauUnion Austria in their continued focus
on employee welfare and health and fitness initiatives in the
workplace, has been recognised by winning the 2009 Upper
Austrian Health Awards for companies with more than
100 employees.
The "Fit on the Job" health project was developed with the
Upper Austrian Regional Health Insurance Fund. 570 employees
in Upper Austria took part in the scheme from 2007 to 2009.
BrauUnion Austria implemented various measures such as
employee health groups and surveys that were focused on
relieving stress and strain in the workplace, in order to reduce
the amount of sick leave.
Working conditions were improved by testing work stations
for comfort and efficiency, providing technicians with suitable
hearing protections and installing new air-cushioned seats for
forklift trucks.
Furthermore, delivery drivers were provided with a nail pallet
press, which is an easier method for maintaining pallet quality.
Also, all new trucks now have continuous running boards to
ensure the safety of the drivers.
At the Zipf Brewery, an innovative robot was introduced for
lifting and moving heavy water bottles, whilst the canteen in Linz
has begun to serve healthier foods such as salads and yoghurts.
A water dispenser has also been set up.
The programme was concluded with an extensive range of health
seminars, made available to employees in their spare time,
on the issues of physical exercise, nutrition, smoking, mental
training, stress and burnout.
"The project has been incredibly successful," says Susanne Rief,
Health Manager at BrauUnion Austria. "Not only have the working
conditions been improved but also the communication between
colleagues. The average sick leave days have also been reduced
by 10 per cent and overall the climate of the company just seems
to be much healthier and vibrant."
Some of the measures are only available in regional breweries
but many have extended across Austria and this number is
expected to increase during 2010.
Heineken N.V. - Sustainability Report 2009 23
