Management approach – our why

In a production plant with numerous machines and tools, the safety of employees is a top priority. Employees in production and logistics in particular are exposed to hazards that can endanger their health and safety. This is why EVVA has defined “occupational health and safety” as a significant negative impact in its own business activities.
 

Concepts for occupational safety and health protection
(ESRS S1-1)

The relevant concepts are planned, implemented and monitored at headquarters by the responsible safety specialist and, if necessary, with the Human Resources Development department. Other affected locations – e.g. because they are also a production facility or exceed a certain legal operating size – are also implementing these concepts. The scope mainly concerns employees at the power plants in Vienna, Krefeld and Tišnov, who have a greater risk potential due to the machinery. Those responsible regularly report on the progress of sustainability goals to the Sustainability Board, which also includes senior management.

• Occupational safety is anchored in the Code of Conduct for EVVA employees. More about this Code of Conduct and the EVVA Human Rights Policy under Responsible Corporate Governance
   
• Information on occupational safety can be viewed at any time on the intranet, at the works council and at key locations throughout the building – such as the checklist for emergencies, emergency numbers, fire safety procedures, etc.
   
• EVVA has brought together health and safety measures for employees into a health programme. More on this below under "Measures" that prevent or mitigate the negative impacts
   
• The Quality and Process Management department coordinates the ongoing risk analysis for the Vienna, Krefeld and Tišnov power plants as part of ISO 9001 certification. This also covers occupational safety
   
• All EVVA locations are based in the EU or Switzerland – in countries with high social and legal standards, including with regard to occupational safety and human rights. We respect all applicable social and ethical obligations and are guided by the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the United Nations Global Compact, the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and the International Labour Organisation’s (ILO) Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work. Contact persons for questions or incidents involving potential rights violations are the respective managers, works councils, management, the Legal Compliance department and confidential advisers

Involvement of our employees (ESRS S1-2)

Employees working in production and logistics are the most vulnerable to occupational health and safety risks. Their perspective is taken into account through employee surveys and regular shop floor inspections with safety specialists, among other things. Measures have already been derived from this, such as more ergonomic chairs and floor renovations.

Employee orientation discussions and internal improvement initiatives also result in documented suggestions and concrete target agreements. Works agreements are jointly drawn up, concluded and signed by the Management Board and the Works Council (e.g. regarding the whistleblower tool, alcohol ban, etc.) in order to take employee interests into account and incorporate them into agreements.
 

Procedures and information channels (ESRS S1-3)

The direct exchange between employees and managers and/or with employee representatives of EVVA is often the first step in communicating problems and risks and finding solutions. However, there are many other opportunities for employees to participate, report and raise concerns: employee orientation discussions and improvement initiatives such as WoW! and EPOS, the Info breakfasts/cafés with management, the anonymous whistleblower tool, Welcome Lunches with management/HR as well as the regular Jour fixes of management/HR with works councils that bring up employee concerns. These participation formats are carried out on a regular basis, enabling continuous follow-up and monitoring of the topics raised.
 

The occupational safety processes at EVVA are subject to strict safety requirements and are regularly reviewed.
 

Comprehensive measures for the protection and health of our employees (ESRS S1-4)

The following list includes important measures taken and implemented during the reporting year to prevent or mitigate the negative impact on the company’s own workforce in terms of occupational health and safety. All measures contribute to one expected result: keeping the number of work-related accidents to a minimum.
 

1) Health promotion:

• EVVA promotes participation in running events – including the international Wings for Life World Run, the Vienna City Marathon and other running events held every year. The company pays the start fees and provides the T-shirts. EVVA Vienna financially supported the participation of 114 employees in 10 running events in 2025
   
• EVVA covers a large proportion of the meal costs in the company’s own canteen at the headquarters. All employees can choose from three different freshly cooked menus every day at lunchtime, including vegetarian and vegan menus. A daily breakfast offer at reduced prices is also available
   
• In recent years, numerous health lectures by specialists have taken place directly in the company, e.g. on women’s and men’s health, tips on smoking cessation, dealing with migraines, etc. The headquarters regularly offers free check-ups, tests, and vaccinations. In 2025, for example, lung function tests were offered. These allow early detection of obstructive lung diseases such as COPD or pulmonary fibrosis
   
• Every year EVVA Vienna distributes a bag of apples to employees for a “healthy start to autumn”
   
• EVVA, through its company doctor, offers flu and tick/TBE vaccinations directly at our headquarters. The flu vaccination is free for employees; for the tick vaccination, employees only pay for the vaccine itself, with no administration fee
   
• In Germany, a “movement break” has been introduced: physiotherapists visit employees once a week and lead stretching and relaxation exercises
   

2) Occupational health and safety:

Unless otherwise mentioned, most programmes relate to the headquarters, which is by far the largest production site of the EVVA Group. The other two power plants (Krefeld, Tišnov) and other locations also have safety specialists, occupational health physicians, fire protection officers, etc., depending on their size. 

• At headquarters, the following representatives are jointly responsible for occupational safety and risk analysis or are ready to intervene in an emergency:
  > 1 Safety Specialist
  > 4 Safety Officers
  > 1 Company Doctor
  > 3 Fire Protection Officers and
  > 18 Fire Wardens
  > 35 First Aiders for first aid
  > 2 Lift Control Officers
  > 1 Hazardous Substances Officer
  > 1 Environmental Officer
  > 1 Dangerous Goods Officer (external)
   
• Twice a year, the headquarters and the two other power plants meet in the ASA (Occupational Health and Safety Committee) to discuss current topics and legislation and how these can be implemented most effectively in the company. Participants are safety specialists, occupational health physicians, fire protection officers, works council and management
   
• The EPOS initiative (EVVA Production System) brings together all optimisation projects in production - including occupational safety, workplace cleanliness and environmental protection. In 2024, EVVA expanded the internationally recognised 5S measure for efficient work design to “6S” with the addition of “Working safely”. Employees can also identify and report hazards themselves at any time, independently of the EPOS rounds: to their manager, to the safety specialists, via the ASA, to the works council or directly to management
   
• Workplace inspections, daily shop-floor meetings, so-called SQCDP checks (Safety, Quality, Cost, Delivery, People) and SOSU walkthroughs (SOSU stands for safety, order, cleanliness, environmental protection). In these internal, unannounced audits, EVVA checks compliance with security, environmental protection and lean management standards. Is PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) always in use? Does it need to be replaced? Are all protective devices still intact? Are there trip hazards? Deviations are documented and targets checked
   
• Comprehensive safety precautions for electroplating (headquarters only):
  > A second specialist is always present when preparing chemicals and filling the electroplating tanks to prevent incorrect application or mix-up. They also check whether the person performing the work is wearing every piece of protective equipment – such as gloves, mask and apron
  > Preparations must not be completed shortly before the end of the working day, as this can lead to rushed, error-prone work
  > Additional regular training and emergency drills
  > The chemicals for the cleaning bath have been changed from solid (powder) to liquid; those for the nickel bath remain solid. This makes mix-ups even less likely. Liquid supply can also be easily automated
  > Step-by-step instructions via a digital worker assistant with monitor and integrated scale for dosing. Every step – including putting on PPE – must be confirmed before the next one can begin
   
• Company healthcare. Once a week, the EVVA company doctor at headquarters provides advice on medical issues (such as illnesses, flu, ergonomics, etc.), measures blood pressure, administers vaccinations, and issues prescriptions and referrals to specialists. Company doctors also work at the German sites in Krefeld and Leipzig
   
• Ergonomically designed work stations in assembly (e.g. all work equipment within optimal reach, height-adjustable tables and chairs, ergonomically designed screwdrivers, etc.). The digital ergonomics module collects and documents physical loads in the work area and generates suggestions for workplace improvements. It was developed by EVVA in cooperation with the Fraunhofer Institute
   
• Personal protective equipment at all locations, e.g. special gloves to help prevent cuts. Shoes with antistatic soles are used in electronics production. They protect employees and electronic components from electrostatic charges. Access control is also installed in this zone to prevent entry without these shoes
   
• At the headquarters, floor rollers (photo on the right) are required for warehouse logistics. They are easy to use and replace the previously used transport skids. Given their intensive daily use, this represents a significant long-term ergonomic benefit
   
• Defibrillators are positioned at various points throughout the building, ready for immediate use by anyone in an emergency – no specialist training required 

3) Operational integration management OIM:

• At EVVA Germany, employees can make use of the legally prescribed "Operational Integration Management" (OIM) after a long period of illness. The aim of the OIM is to support employees in maintaining and recovering their health. Through this programme, EVVA supports employees in the recovery process and in returning to their everyday working life. EVVA works with TÜV Rheinland, which provides neutral and competent specialists and advises on health and social insurance issues, among other things
   

4) Training:

• The EVVA Academy integrates health-related topics into the “Living Leadership” training course for managers, emphasising the importance of mindfulness and balance and their positive health effects. Employees at all locations have access to many courses and videos on health through the EVVA digital learning platform “Masterplan”, which can also be accessed privately
   
• The safety specialists conduct all internal occupational safety training and serve as the first point of contact should any issues or incidents arise. Annual refresher training for employees is based on current legal requirements. EVVA has developed its own Masterplan learning path for occupational safety
   

Effectiveness of the measures

One factor used to assess the effectiveness of these measures is the statistics on “workplace accidents” and “accident-free days”. EVVA sets corresponding targets (described below) and measures performance against them. The number of employees participating in running events, health promotion programs, and canteen services has remained consistently high over the years, demonstrating the acceptance of these initiatives. All new employees at headquarters receive mandatory occupational health and safety training upon joining the company. Employees in production additionally undergo annual refresher training.
Safety specialists and occupational health physicians conduct regular inspections and assess workplaces and safety conditions individually. The frequency and nature of work-related accidents are documented, and current priority measures are defined accordingly – such as most recently eye protection and the consistent use of protective goggles.

Number of occupational accidents (ESRS S1-14)

Reportable occupational accidents are those involving three or more days of sick leave/lost time. Serious work-related accidents are very rare at EVVA; most involve minor injuries such as cuts or bruises. There were no work-related deaths, including in the reporting year. Commuting accidents are not included in the following statistics. All EVVA employees are covered by legal requirements and/or their own health and safety programs.
 

Number of reportable occupational accidents

Number of occupational accidents at EVVA headquarters: