Only healthy and satisfied staff can be successful with their work for a business. Energie AG works to ensure awareness and personal responsibility around quality and occupational safety among its employees. Preventive action and information are used to prevent work-related adverse health conditions and staff are directed to be more conscious in their approach to health through the energy@work project. If an individual has already fallen ill, the company takes steps to promote their recovery. In the 2017/2018 fiscal year, Energie AG’s company health management policy was awarded the “Betriebliche Gesundheitsförderung” (Workplace Health Promotion) seal of approval, which is valid until 2019 (not including the Waste Management and Water Segments).

Topical issues are discussed and solutions are developed in regular health meetings, including employee representatives, occupational health professionals and safety management specialists. Weekly exercise programmes also promote health awareness at a number of work sites. A smoking ban was implemented at all Energie AG Group workplaces in Austria in the 2017/2018 fiscal year, supported by “non-smoking initiatives”. Exercises, eye tests and ball chairs are available for employees who mainly work in front of a screen. The range of occupational healthcare services includes extensive contact during consultation hours and vaccination campaigns.

In addition, a “Mental Health at Work Service Line” has been set up for all employees in Austria in order to provide support in the event of psychological problems or conflicts.

Energie AG ensures that the specifications of the Employee Protection Act and the associated regulations are consistently complied with throughout the Group, and that appropriate preventive measures are adopted. In the 2017/2018 fiscal year, around 95 announced and unannounced workplace and construction site inspections were carried out by safety experts together with those responsible on site and/or Energie AG Group management. Office workplaces were checked to ensure ergonomic design and, if necessary, adjusted to keep the number of musculoskeletal conditions among employees as low as possible.

In the 2017/2018 reporting period, there were no fatal accidents at work within the Energie AG Group. A total of 82 work incidents meeting reporting requirements were registered, which is equivalent to an accident rate of 17.46 accidents per 1,000 employees 6)Up to cut-off date of 30 September, including partially consolidated companies. The accident severity amounted to an average of 24.67 days of sick leave per work accident. By an international measure, this comes to an LTIF (Lost Time Injury Frequency) of 10.89 per 1,000,000 working hours.

A closer look reveals a picture that varies according to national characteristics and, in particular, the different areas of activity within the Energie AG Group. The Waste Management Segment has a higher accident rate than the rest of the company’s segments, but the figures fall within the normal range compared with the wider industry.

The Waste Management Segment set itself the goal of reducing the number of accidents in the 2017/2018 fiscal year and responded to the previous year’s accident trend via a joint initiative with AUVA, the Austrian Workers’ Compensation Board. With a 25% reduction in the number of accidents, the target was clearly met. The Waste Management Segment’s management system has also been expanded to include certification of occupational health and safety (OHSAS 18001).

The legally required training courses regarding hazards, health, safety and risk prevention steps are regularly held throughout the Energie AG Group. Our “short briefings” have proven to be a very effective method. In the 2017/2018 fiscal year, fire safety content was offered for the first time throughout Austria via an e-learning process. We are reviewing whether to add further modules.

In addition to the briefings, a large number of subject-specific training courses were held during the period under review. Employees of contractors in the technical and electrical engineering sectors were also able to attend if necessary. In addition to training courses on working with live electrical equipment, meter changes and operational use authorisation, training modules on low and high voltage electrical system operation and management authorisation were also held.

1) Up to cut-off date of 30 September, including partially consolidated companies