Our approach to occupational health and safety management is international in scope, proactive and oriented toward long-term development. It is anchored in our Business Conduct Guidelines and forms part of our internal monitoring, risk management and internal control systems.

As a globally operating, integrated technology company with core activities in the fields of energy, healthcare, industry, infrastructure and cities, our employees and contractors are subject to a variety of risks. We counter these hazards both through centrally formulated, globally applicable guidelines and specialized standards, and through programs that allow for local adaptation. We also ensure that occupational safety is upheld at contractor companies through the Code of Conduct for Siemens Suppliers.

Within the framework of our global "Zero Harm Culture" program to reduce accidents and damage, we continue to anchor occupational health and safety management as an integrated part of all our business and improvement processes. This program comprises three principles:

This is designed to ensure that, in the long term, rule- and control-based behavior is replaced by a culture of mutual awareness and that hazards are eliminated from the outset as far as possible. After developing concepts, methods and tools over the past two years and testing them in pilot projects in Germany, Brazil and Portugal, we have now implemented the program at many locations and construction sites throughout the world.

We investigate all accidents to determine their causes and take steps to prevent their reoccurrence. When analyzing the causes of fatal accidents, we also call on the services of independent teams of experts. The causes of accidents are communicated within the affected unit and, if universally applicable, beyond it. This allows us to take precautions where similar machines, facilities or procedures are involved. Technical measures are amended as necessary through qualification measures.