Interview with Dr. Ralf Franke, Head of Health & Safety

 

Dr. Franke, Daimler employs around 270,000 people worldwide, all of whom contribute to the success of the company in their various fields. How does Daimler’s health management system contribute to the success of the Group?

The successes we’ve achieved as a company can only be brought about with motivated and healthy employees. In line with this philosophy, health and safety form two key areas of responsibility for Daimler. In order to meet the associated requirements, the company has developed a strategy for creating comprehensive health and occupational safety processes. It has also drawn up guidelines that are valid across the entire Group. These guidelines, in turn, focus heavily on preventive health management measures.

Last year, Daimler was awarded the “Move Europe” prize for its exemplary health management system, which also finished first in a nationwide study conducted by the Handelsblatt newspaper. What contribution did your Health & Safety department make here?

We offer a range of services to promote employee health and maintain the performance capability of our workforce. Such services range from medical care, health improvement programs, and tips to consulting on social welfare issues. We’ve also defined preventive ergonomic measures and standards for improving occupational safety. Individual activities here vary greatly and include everything from flu immunization programs to preventive physical therapy such as our Kraftwerk mobil strength training unit for exercising the back.

Are there any other health management activities you’d like to mention?

Therapy and rehabilitation are also part of the company’s health promotion system. Our therapy activities, for example, include scientifically proven back exercise programs that help eliminate back problems. Especially popular here is the program that was jointly developed by Health & Safety and the Daimler BKK insurance provider. Another program helps employees quit smoking. In a related development, Daimler and the Works Council agreed last year on a nationwide ban on smoking in all buildings at German Group locations as a means of protecting non-smokers. Our rehabilitation activities attempt to eliminate health problems and make it easier for employees afflicted with them to resume a “normal life.” In such cases, Daimler offers a follow-up program that is tailored to their individual situation and designed to build on the original rehabilitation program.

How can employees contribute to health management?

At some point, Daimler begins to rely on each employee’s own initiative and sense of responsibility. Our strategic partner here is our SG Stern sports club, which offers many different types of athletic activities and fitness programs. A total of 1,300 volunteers currently work at SG Stern at all plant locations, and these individuals are also involved in the development and implementation of health improvement measures. This holistic concept of health promotion is rounded out by the Daimler BKK insurance provider, which supports many of our measures financially as well, and even helped to develop some of them.