GemPSI: German paper sack industry ensures comprehensive safety at the workplace

Physically hard work and the handling of hazardous substances are also not an issue. Nevertheless, various hazards lurk that can affect the health of employees, such as noise or sharp tools. With numerous measures, German paper bag manufacturers ensure that the safety of their employees is protected at the workplace, even beyond the legally prescribed obligations. In addition to providing protective clothing and work aids, an important aspect of this is raising employees' awareness of possible sources of danger.

In GemPSI member companies, a distinction is usually made between minor accidents, such as a small cut, and reportable accidents that result in employees being unable to work for at least three days. "Safety is always our priority," explains GemPSI member Erika Reiter. "No matter how small the accident, all incidents are documented and evaluated internally for prevention purposes so that they can be prevented in the future." Special occupational safety specialists and safety officers are responsible for all matters related to occupational safety in the companies. They evaluate past accidents, assess hazards, conduct occupational safety and fire prevention rounds, equip employees with health prevention tools and continuously train them on accident prevention. In addition, company doctors and paramedics are on duty.

Strong partner in accident prevention

An important partner in health protection is the Employer's Liability Insurance Association (BG) ETEM. Its employees regularly carry out safety inspections at its member companies in order to be able to advise them comprehensively on all matters relating to occupational safety at the site. In close cooperation with the safety officers, they investigate possible causes of accidents, check equipment and work materials and measure noise. "Many a potential tripping hazard has been discovered during these inspections, which we were able to eliminate quickly," reports Erika Reiter. "The employers' liability insurance association also offers training courses lasting several days and a variety of training materials for the education and further training of our safety officers and specialists as well as our employees. We use the training videos, for example, in the safety briefings that all employees in the paper bag industry regularly attend." If an accident or work-related illness does occur, the BG provides optimal treatment and rehabilitation for those affected.

Tailor-made safety instructions

Depending on the activity in the paper sack industry, the potential hazards differ. Therefore, safety instructions are tailored to the respective area in the company. While sales staff are reminded to observe their breaks and working hours, production staff, for example, are made aware to wear noise protection as well as their protective clothing and to use a lifting aid when handling heavy loads or in difficult movement sequences. "There is no longer any danger from the machines today, as they are now all sheathed," says Reiter. "There, handling the cutting knife without work gloves or the mobile phone in your hand when descending from the forklift truck is much more dangerous. Fortunately, it has become established in our company that colleagues look out for each other and alert each other to potential dangers." According to Reiter, an important contribution to this has come from active safety briefings, where employees have to re-enact accidents and then work out for themselves how they could have been prevented. "When you are responsible for finding a solution yourself, you also become much more attentive to potential sources of danger in everyday life," reports Arsim Halimi, who has trained as a safety officer. "And you realise how valuable the tools are that we are provided with. In my function, I also try to make that clear to my colleagues and set a good example." For example, he always wears hearing protection and work trousers with knee pads because he often works in a kneeling position in maintenance.

Investments in safety
In addition, German paper sack manufacturers have invested heavily in optimising safety for their employees. Here, too, the Berufsgenossenschaft was on hand to advise the companies. Many of the preventive measures exceed the regulations prescribed in the Occupational Health and Safety Act. "At our site, for example, we have invested in optimal lighting for the workplaces. We now have daylight lamps in the print shop, which improves health - and at the same time print quality," explains Reiter. "In addition, we have purchased new forklift trucks as well as lifting aids and anti-fatigue mats that are easier on our employees' joints during longer periods of standing work." Safety Officer Moritz Bruder is particularly enthusiastic about the new forklifts. "Thanks to the modern equipment, the number of accidents has dropped significantly," he reports. "Employees now log on to the vehicle by chip with personalised electronic recognition. If the driver has driven too fast in the past, the vehicle automatically reduces the speed on the next trip and lights up the warning lights."

Personal responsibility for safety
"Health is our most valuable asset and should not be put at risk lightly," explains Reiter. Often the employees' sense of duty is the reason why, for example, speed limits are exceeded with the forklift truck or a lifting aid remains unused. This is because the application of safety precautions sometimes takes a little longer and thus delays the production processes. "For us - and I speak for all German paper sack manufacturers - employee safety always takes priority over productivity," Reiter emphasises. "We do everything in our power to protect our employees and prevent accidents and work-related illnesses. We also appeal to their personal responsibility, in terms of their health."