Olympus Europa Holding GmbH

 
We need to ensure the safety of company car drivers, who are often transporting equipment in their vehicles, by providing proper training. The training involves an introduction to the physical restraint equipment inside the vehicles, with a particular focus on lifting, handling and the use of high-strength strapping systems. Strict rules are also explained in relation to what can and cannot be transported within vehicles. The training takes approximately two hours and compliance is regularly formally audited by the sales and service field managers, who have a formalised checklist which must be completed each time they visit their staff in-field. This training will ensure that the vehicles are fit-for-purpose, with any necessary modifications to restrain equipment etc, in the event of an accident.
 
We also have a desire to preserve the safety of staff travelling to and from our facilities and contribute to improving the general safety standards. As an example, we fund traffic engineering schemes in the area surrounding our office facilities - one recent example is the installation of central pedestrian refuges at informal crossing points along one of the streets Hamburg. Another example includes the installation of pedestrian safety fencing in Hamburg, as a result of safety concerns expressed by members of staff in the communities within which we operate, for the benefit of all.
 
Currently, we are undertaking a holistic review of the safety of our sales and service staff in relation to the equipment they carry and how this is transported. Our policies have been changed to insist that either vehicles are objectively tested and modified to ensure the effective restraint of equipment in the event of an accident, or heavy equipment is delivered independently by a specialist courier.
 
In relation to highway engineering, at our headquarters in Hamburg, we commit to organize regular meetings with senior officials from the Authority of Urban Development and Environment (BSU). The first formal meeting with the BSU took place in September 2009, but there have already been more than six follow-up meetings due to the actions arising, and we have agreed to meet formally every six months to review progress and discuss future schemes), during which we will agree remedial actions at identified danger spots, many of which we fund directly from our Olympus Europa Foundation - this expenditure is subject to review and approval by the Olympus Donations Board.
 
We will also regularly work with external expert Highway Engineers to propose engineering solutions to improve safety at locations of concern that have been brought to our attention, either by employees or during our daily journeys to and from work.