Policies (S1-1)
DB Group is committed to the zero accident vision in occupational health and safety. This means that all accidents are to be prevented and the well-being of all employees is considered to be the most important asset. Occupational health and safety is an integral part of our business activities and is firmly anchored in the culture of DB Group. Safety standards are being continuously improved, particularly through technological integration, digitalization and automation.
Occupational health and safety in DB Group is based on clear principles for the organization of occupational health and safety as well as a transparent allocation of tasks and responsibilities. Implementation is ensured by a health and safety management system. This includes Group standards, for example framework guidelines, efficient processes and the application of the PDCA cycle (Plan-Do-Check-Act), which describes a continuous improvement process. Executives take responsibility and serve as role models, while the intrinsic motivation of employees is promoted through participation. We focus on preventive action, systematic learning and the use of modern, digital and AI-supported solutions to identify potential for improving occupational health and safety at an early stage.
The Group-wide occupational health and safety policies described below are binding and apply to all employee groups in Germany, including temporary workers and trainees. Outside Germany, they serve as a guide for checking the health and safety laws to be observed in the respective country. If further requirements arise from the policies, these must also be complied with outside Germany. They are systematically taken into account in the planning of workplaces, work procedures and processes as well as the procurement of work equipment and materials.
The Group companies and the Group works council are involved in the development of occupational health and safety and the policies as part of the Group-wide occupational health and safety working group. The up-to-dateness and effectiveness of the policies is reviewed annually by the specialist authors in consultation with the Group companies as part of the Group-wide occupational health and safety working group.
DB Group management handbook
The DB Group management handbook establishes occupational health and safety as a central management task. It obliges executives to ensure safe working conditions through preventive action and to protect the health and safety of employees and persons working on behalf of DB Group.
Group guideline on risk minimization
The Group guideline on risk minimization defines Group-wide minimum standards for identifying and reducing risks and anchors occupational health and safety as an integral part of safety management. It obliges the Group companies to systematically analyze occupational accidents and implement preventive measures in order to prevent hazards for employees and sustainably improve safety in the workplace.
Occupational health and safety handbook
The occupational health and safety handbook specifies the principles of occupational health and safety anchored in the management handbook and in the Group guideline on risk minimization and forms the binding regulatory framework for their operational implementation within DB Group. It bundles central framework guidelines that define clear responsibilities, uniform procedures and preventive measures in order to systematically identify hazards, minimize risks and ensure the safety and health of employees in the long term.
The most important framework guidelines of the occupational health and safety handbook include in particular:
- “Occupational health and safety at DB Group”: The aim of this framework guideline is to ensure the health and safety of employees through a suitable occupational health and safety organization. It regulates the primary responsibility for occupational health and safety, the transfer of entrepreneurial duties and the requirements for the operational organization of occupational health and safety.
- “Work in the track area”: This framework guideline describes tasks, competencies and responsibilities when working in the track area on rail and other installations. The aim is to minimize hazards from rail operations for all persons involved through specific safety measures.
- “Procedure for occupational accidents and commuting accidents”: This framework guideline describes a standardized, legally compliant procedure for occupational accidents, commuting accidents and near misses. It regulates the reporting, documentation, investigation and statistical evaluation of incidents.
- “Implementation and documentation of risk assessments”: This framework guideline describes a standardized Group-wide procedure for the systematic identification, evaluation and documentation of hazards and for the definition, implementation and effectiveness monitoring of protective measures.
Principles of the Zero Accident Forum
DB Group has been a member of the Zero Accident Forum of the Institute for Occupational Safety and Health of the German Social Accident Insurance since November 2019 and is committed to the continuous improvement of occupational safety and compliance with the forum’s policies and principles. These include a firm belief that every accident is preventable, that accidents do not happen by chance and that learning is the key to success. Successful occupational health and safety practices are shared with other members and systematic cooperation takes place between employees and executives to continuously improve occupational health and safety.