Security award for alerting by light from Schaeffler

Excellent teamwork: Christian Philipp (Schaeffler Aerospace Plant Manager), Boris Kemper (Head of Occupational Safety), Clarissa Wohlfahrt (Chairman of the Disabled Representative) (from left to right) and Waldemar Gottscholl (Site Supply and Infrastructure, right) were delighted to be awarded the once again renowned "Schlauer Fuchs" safety prize from the wood and metal trade association.

"Sly fox" for "Alarm - No problem for the deaf"

Light supplements acoustic signals and personal warning devices

Second award for Schaeffler after 2019

The professional association for wood and metal (BGHM) has once again awarded the Schaeffler location in Schweinfurt the “Smart Fox” safety prize. The BGHM awarded an innovative solution that informs deaf employees in the event of an alarm without delay.

In the event of an emergency - for example due to a fire or escaping pollutants - the alarm must be raised quickly. As a rule, acoustic signals then indicate in production areas that an affected area must be evacuated as quickly as possible. But what if the people affected cannot hear it due to a personal disability?

One solution to this challenge at Schaeffler's Schweinfurt location is called "Alarm - No problem for the deaf" and has now been awarded the "Smart Fox" safety prize by the wood and metal trade association (BGHM). The alarm is also given by a light signal.

To do this, those responsible use the existing DALI lighting components in the Schweinfurt halls. DALI stands for "Digital Addressable Lighting Interface". This is a protocol for controlling different components of a lighting system.

Up until now, DALI components have mainly been used to ensure optimal lighting conditions in production at all times while saving energy at the same time. If a lot of light falls into the halls from outside, the system regulates the illumination accordingly and vice versa, the electricity is used more efficiently than if the illumination is always the same.

This system is now used to dim the light up and down in an emergency. "By combining the acoustic signal with the new optical signal, optimal perception is guaranteed for all employees," explained Boris Kemper, Head of Occupational Safety at the site. In addition, a warning device – a vibrating digital alarm receiver that the deaf employees always carry with them – shows details of the hazardous situation on a display. Another highlight of the idea is that an already existing system is used cleverly and only minimal costs are incurred for the implementation.

"The project is a great measure to improve safety and health at work," said Peter Volland, the supervisor responsible at the BGHM, and adds: "The fact that this innovative idea developed from the regular risk assessment shows that the latter is not a nuisance in the company is a duty, but is really lived.”

In addition to Kemper, Clarissa Wohlfart, chairwoman of the representative body for severely disabled people, and Waldemar Gottscholl, site supply and infrastructure, were responsible for the joint idea.

Campus manager Carsten Rheinsberg said: "Any measure that increases occupational safety is worthy of an award." It should also be emphasized that this project increases the independence of the deaf and should therefore also be considered from the aspect of inclusion.

After 2019, this is the second time that Schaeffler has been awarded the “Sly Fox” in Schweinfurt. At that time, the "safest combined new/old forging plant on the market" was awarded.

As a leading global supplier to the automotive and industrial sectors, the Schaeffler Group has been driving forward groundbreaking inventions and developments in the fields of motion and mobility for over 70 years. With innovative technologies, products, and services for CO₂-efficient drives, electric mobility, Industry 4.0, digitalization, and renewable energies, the company is a reliable partner for making motion and mobility more efficient, intelligent, and sustainable. The technology company manufactures high-precision components and systems for drive train and chassis applications as well as rolling and plain bearing solutions for a large number of industrial applications. The Schaeffler Group generated sales of approximately EUR 12.6 billion in 2020. With around 83,900 employees, Schaeffler is one of the world’s largest family companies. With more than 1,900 patent applications in 2020, Schaeffler is Germany’s second most innovative company according to the DPMA (German Patent and Trademark Office).