Germany

Continental is a leading German automotive manufacturing company. Because of the nature of the work, employees experience a high level of exposure to occupational risks (physical and psychosocial), which the company aimed to address. The workforce at Continental is ageing, with the proportion of workers aged over 50 projected to increase from 10 % in 2005 to 50 % in 2020; this demographic change will create a shortage of skilled workers. Continental is redesigning its high-risk workplaces in order to improve working conditions for all and to maintain the health of all employees, regardless of age or gender. It also provides training and awareness raising for its employees. Continental established dedicated ergonomics teams at all sites to identify and assess physical and psychosocial occupational risks. The teams are responsible for assessing and analysing exposure and redesigning workplaces to decrease physical workload and exposure through better ergonomics. This ensures that they are appropriate for male and female workers of all ages wherever possible, thus improving working conditions for all. The ergonomics teams focus particularly on the prevention of musculoskeletal disorders, and on decreasing overall exposure to physical risks and physical overload. The teams have created up-to-date evaluations of current exposure levels at each work site. A software documentation system was used to gather demographic data for all sites and to create company-wide exposure databases and good practices. The exposure database can be used, for example, for primary prevention by establishing risk scores for various roles. The data can also be used supportively to reallocate people to more suitable jobs if their performance is limited because of a health condition. This can be particularly useful for employees that have undergone a period of rehabilitation and are returning to work. Continental integrates ergonomics into business planning at every stage — prospective ergonomic assessment is now required during the design and purchasing processes for all new workplaces. This is a more efficient and cost- effective way of managing risks than trying to implement changes when the workplace is operational. • The initiative has been well received by employees. • A decrease in the rate of reported physical overload from 46 % in 2010 to 25 % in 2016 was achieved. • Continental reported an increase in the age stability rate from 25 % in 2010 to 44 % in 2016. • Ergonomic assessment has now been integrated into the procurement process for all Continental sites. • Analyses of exposure data have been integrated into human resources practice for reallocating people based on altered ability.

Level of Education: Continuing vocational education and training

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