April 27, 2010
As the very first site operated by the K+S Group, the Neuhof-Ellers potash works has undergone an inspection by the mining industry’s accident prevention and insurance institution (since 1 January 2010 called Berufsgenossenschaft Rohstoffe und chemische Industrie – BG RCI), and has received the coveted seal of approval “Safe with a System” for its work safety system.
Dieter Friedrich, Works Manager Neuhof-Ellers (left), and Matthias Stenzel (BG RCI). (Photograph: Christian P. Stadtfeld)
At the awards ceremony auditor Matthias Stenzel, head of the Prevention Department of the BG RCI, presented a certificate as well as a glass cup to Works Manager Dieter Friedrich. Listing the reasons for conducting the inspection, Friedrich stated: “We want to continue to reduce accidents, to identify possible safety risks and to remedy them. We also wanted to prove that we could meet all organisational and legal requirements.” All of the site’s employees are extremely proud of having received the seal of approval.
A low number of accidents are proof of good work safety organisation. His three-day inspection in Neuhof also convinced Matthias Stenzel that it was in place. “If you want to manufacture top-quality products, your safety also needs to meet exacting standards”, Stenzel commented. He lauded the good and transparent communication “from all the way at the top to way down”, and explained: “all of the work’s employees actually deserve to take home the seal of approval”, as work safety is a joint task.
The certificate is valid until 2013. After that date, a new audit needs to be conducted. “After the game is before the game”, Works Manager Friedrich commented. “We’re on the road to success, and that where we want to stay.” Acknowledging the commitment of “his team”, Friedrich restated the old and the new goal: “No Accidents at Work”
