The Industrial Gases Association (IGV), Berlin, and the Social Accident Insurance Institution for the Raw Materials and Chemical Industry (BG RCI), Heidelberg/Germany, have launched a joint initiative intended to heighten occupational safety. The cooperation agreement is part of the BG RCI’s prevention strategy “VISION ZERO. Zero Accidents – Healthy Work!” The aim of VISION ZERO is to create a working world in which nobody ever suffers any harm.
“The IGV is convinced that this type of agreement with BG RCI will lead to fewer occupational accidents and work-related health risks”, explained Jens Waldeck, chairman of the IGV’s Management Board. “The cooperation agreement is now the next logical step, one that acknowledges the traditionally good cooperation between IGV and BG RCI”, Waldeck continued.
“We are convinced that ultimately all accidents and occupational illnesses can be prevented. Achieving this goal means recognising that safety and health are fundamental values for all people and that managers as well as employees in the companies must live up to their responsibility. Together, we will succeed in bringing the vision of an accident-free working life ever closer to reality!” explained Dieter Bärhausen, Head of Prevention Division 2 at the BG RCI’s Prevention Centre in Cologne.
The prevention strategy “VISION ZERO. Zero Accidents – Healthy Work!” defines specific goals. The introduction of suitable preventive measures is intended to increase the number of accident-free operations. The VISION ZERO prevention strategy, the defined goals and the measures give rise to many opportunities for cooperation between industry and accident insurance that will heighten awareness of this common purpose, lead to the initiation and support of these measures in the companies, and establish and develop the strategy in the interest of both parties so that it is successful.
The IGV promotes safety, environmental protection and technology in the production and handling of industrial gases. It is a professional association of the German Chemical Industry Association (VCI) and is integrated into the European Industrial Gases Association (EIGA). Almost all German companies that produce and/or fill and distribute industrial gases as well as suppliers are members of the IGV.