WACKER emphasizes the importance of informing its employees of health hazards. We regularly organize health campaigns on various topics. In 2012, for example, we held events on the subject of cardiovascular health at sites in Germany, the USA and China. Under the motto “Follow your heart,” employees learned about the correlation between lifestyle and the risk of cardiovascular disease. An examination conducted at Burghausen, WACKER’s largest site, revealed that roughly 1 out of every 10 male employees has a high risk of suffering from a heart attack.

Additionally, employees are offered fitness classes if suitable facilities are available at their site. The health-promotion programs also include addiction-prevention seminars and back training. WACKER also encourages employees to participate in inter-company running events.

An influenza vaccination is offered once annually for all employees, at all sites around the world. This vaccination is free of charge and voluntary.

WACKER promotes substance-abuse prevention. In general, alcohol is forbidden at work and there are courses to help smokers kick their habit. All managerial staff members are required to attend training programs on the topic of substance abuse prevention. These programs aim to help them recognize employees who are at risk or are already addicted, and to assist them in seeking proper treatment. We also provide management with courses on detecting employees suffering from psychological stress and on alleviating the problem.

The number of recognized occupational diseases is very low at WACKER’s German sites. Respiratory diseases and cancer are the most frequent causes of illness; there are some isolated cases where previous exposure to asbestos or benzene has caused occupational diseases. So far, WACKER has not evaluated groupwide figures concerning occupational diseases of its employees because the criteria for the recognition of illnesses as occupational vary from country to country.