USING TECHNOLOGY AND ORGANSIATION TO ACHIEVE SAFER MAINTENANCE

Voestalpine Weichensysteme GmbH is an iron and steel processing company and voestalpine Hytronics GmbH produces hydraulic and electronic systems for turnouts. Between the two companies there are 20 employees working in the in-house maintenance department (electricians and mechanics) who are involved in extensive proactive and reactive maintenance operations; in addition, about 50 external companies are contracted for maintenance, inspection and repair services.
In a joint effort by the companies’ health and safety officers, occupational health department and the maintenance department (head of the department, employees and safety representatives) the activities and operations were evaluated and potential weak points and unsafe actions/conditions were identified.