Worker participation, consultation, and communication on occupational health and safety

Issues of health and occupational safety are regulated by our Corporate Guidelines and Code of Conduct at Symrise that apply around the globe. In addition, the collective bargaining agreement, which was negotiated with the trade union IG BCE (mining, chemical and energy industrial union) and which applies to Symrise in Germany, contains regulations on workplace design and occupational health and safety. The CBA also governs the cooperation between company management, the works council and the union on matters pertaining to protecting the health of our employees. This agreement also applies to approximately 2,600 Symrise employees in Germany.

Company management, the works council and the union cooperate closely to protect the health of our employees. The relevant regulations described in the Code of Conduct are implemented worldwide via occupational safety committees. SOS inspections and security training sessions are held at regular intervals. Indicator 403-1 describes our approach, taking into account legal obligations.

All Symrise AG employees are entitled to a workplace where they do not have to worry about their health and safety. Every year, a large number of programs and measures are carried out at our sites around the world that contribute to ensuring occupational safety. Because local situations and needs vary, the specific measures to be implemented at the individual sites are guided by on-site systems and working groups.

There are occupational safety committees at all our locations where we have production sites. The committees meet regularly and exchange information on safety measures and the avoidance of workplace accidents. The heads of the production sites are members of these committees. Minutes from the meetings are always distributed to management.

Our subsidiary TESIUM bundles our competence in the areas of technology, safety and the environment. It ensures that all divisions meet the highest environmental standards. Binding corporate guidelines, which include an approach that has been coordinated with the Executive Board for the safety of systems as well as the protection of employees and the environment, apply to all our sites around the world. Regular training sessions on the topic of occupational safety are mandatory across the Group (see alsoManagement Approach).

In order to improve the worldwide performance in the area of occupational health and safety, the concept of a zero-accident culture was introduced in 2017. Upper and midlevel managers are trained in the methods and programs of a zero-accident culture in special workshops. The programs and measures are discussed in monthly meetings. The program is initially designed for a period of two years. Essential components of this program are workshops on zero-accident culture for upper and midlevel managers as well as management safety visits for the first and second management level of the entire company.