Industrial Medicine at Swarovski

beyond the legal obligations Gabriele Fluckinger, MD

Head of Occupational Medicine

Wattens 10 Oct., 2005

Abstract „Industrial Medicine at Swarovski“

In this presentation I will show you our current development and practice in industrial medicine. The challenge of historical occupational deseases has decreased, and new burning issues have developed due to global economy.

A short overview should be given of our management in biomonitoring employees exposed to hazardous materials,as well as of our efforts to minimize exposure.

Our workers being less under physical strains than in former times, but more and more under pressure for psychological reasons, we increase our support trough alternate offers.

Therefore we focus our occupational work at topics like “salutogenesis” meaning: “What do our employees need to stay healthy with body and soul?”

“How can we support our employees in well being and well staying?”

Health Care Protection of employees by

law“Industrial physicians must advise

employers and employees on protection

against hazards in the workplace, on the

promotion of good health and the design

of workplaces so that they are fit for human

use. Furthermore, they must assist

employers in the fullfilment of their duties

in this field.“ (ANSchG § 81)

Content

1. Protection

2. Assistance

3. Promotion

Content

1. Protection

2. Assistance

3. Promotion

Physical or biological hazards

• Noise• Dust• Dangerous

materials• Risk of infection

(business journeys)

Dangerous materials - lead

Legal obligations concerning lead-exposure:

keeping limits of emission at workplace biological screening of exposed workers monitoring by the Department of Health pollution controls by Department of Employment workplace inspection by independent officials

Biological screening - lead

Blood count (+ formation) Physical examination, especially

neurology Blood lead level determination Indicating marker-substance (EPP) Urine tests for lead-tracers

Maximum permissible value of lead

Maximum Workplace Concentration 0,1 mg/m3 air for male 0,02 mg/m3 air for female

Maximum Venous Blood Concentration

70 ng/ml blood for male 45 ng/ml blood for female in fertile age

Biological risks - infections

Medical support in case of business journeys, like first aid kits, drugs and special devices (protecting masks)

Warnings and Restrictions in 2003 because of SARS

Vaccinations (basic and specific)

                       

Content

1. Protection

2. Assistance

3. Promotion

Stress management

Overload due to individual reasons

Overexertion due to overwork

Overload & Overexertion

Individual psychological advice

Programs and help:

- Alcohol policy + individual support

- Burn-out information- Mobbing consulting

- Non-smoking courses

Psychological advice

Dr. Daniel Trobisch, Psychologist

Alcohol Management support:

standardized processes for handling employees with alcohol problem

Information campaigns

Our goal is to change the attitude of our employees towards alcohol

No alcohol policy:

during working hours at workplace

in canteens and company restaurants

Psychological services22% Consulting

mobbing, crisis intervention

65% Therapeutic interventions depression

13% Group work team supervision

Content

1. Protection

2. Assistance

3. Promotion

Activities at workplace

High quality canteenlow calories food

Activity breaktime gymnastics at

workplace

Activities in leisure

outdoor

Jogging,

Walking,

Nordic Walking,

Swimming

Activities in leishure

• Indoor Activities

Thai Qui, Qui Gong,YogaSelf & Time management

Day of Health

• Health check for our employees

• Fitness check for everyone