“It's about the people”

Mr. Zelesny, you have been head of the Xact occupational safety program at LANXESS for eight years. What exactly does Xact mean? 

LANXESS introduced Xact as a global safety initiative in 2011. 

Specifically, Xact means: 

• All work is performed eXactly the way it is specified.
• All processes are controlled eXactly as designed.
• All plants/facilities are maintained eXactly to our defined standards.

How has Xact developed since then? 

When Xact was launched, we started by working with an external consultant to examine numerous health, safety and environment (HSE) processes. We found that these processes varied greatly from country to country and from area to area. Our understanding of the issue of safety also varied depending on the culture. Some of our operations were already very advanced, while others had some catching up to do. 

What was important here was that management attached great importance to the topic from the outset and provided the appropriate resources. Global working groups with in total up to 150 employees then looked at the proposed potential improvements, reviewed and optimized the processes, and agreed on global standards for these topics. This analysis phase took about two years and helped to create a common understanding of occupational safety. 

In the beginning, the focus was on compliance and standardized processes. An important basis for a strong safety culture. Very good work has been done. 

When I took over Xact in 2017, I wanted to build on that by putting the people even more in focus. I wanted them to get emotionally involved. I had the feeling that our employees see Xact as a “toolbox”. I reach into it when I need something. However, I wanted to establish Xact as an ever-present attitude towards safety, as an attitude and a mindset. Not everyone feels addressed by figures and directives. It's often too formal. As a result, many colleagues couldn't relate to it. 

How did you know what your colleagues needed to identify with the topic? 

I went to the plants and asked the employees: What should Xact stand for? What do you want or hope for from Xact? This is how I found out: 

• It takes emotion and passion to captivate employees. Safety should not be a burden, but should have positive connotations. 
• We have to make people part of safety. 
• Occupational safety must be integrated into the corporate culture. 
• The board's clear commitment must be visible to all employees. 

Our board has considered the topic of occupational safety to be important from the very beginning. We took this on board and, together with the Xact network, formulated a framework for our safety culture, the “Xact Beliefs & Principles”, which the board signed in December 2017. 

In addition, we have anchored the safety concept in our corporate culture and thus officially established it as a corporate value. 

All of this has raised Xact to a new level. People have become more attentive and curious. Employees have become more open and I have been able to address them better. In doing so safety became more present in decision-making processes. 

How did you involve people in the plants or in the office? 

We introduced various global activities designed to engage our colleagues. In my view, the most important measure was the roll-out of a global safety culture development process. We visited over 120 operational units with a multi-stage workshop concept. This enabled us to engage with thousands of employees on site.

We brought safety to the people, listened, took their concerns seriously and sought solutions together with the people on site. This communication platform for safety was in itself a cultural development. In the meantime, we have also conducted workshops at our headquarters in the various countries.

In everything I do, I always question whether and how it works. For example, it was clear to me that regular communication is the key to success. But how exactly? So I googled “communications concept”. And it was all about stories that people can identify with. That's how my Xact Bulletin came into being. 

In my writing, I publish factual safety topics, for example after an occupational safety conference, but also unusual topics such as storytelling related to Star Wars. I usually write very personally about aspects that move me when it comes to safety. 

At Christmas, I wrote a story about “My friend Harvey”. It is about a fictitious colleague who can no longer return to work after an accident at work. However, he is still present in the mind of his closest colleague as a “good spirit” and gives him helpful tips and safety advice to avoid accidents.

I try to find examples that appeal to as many people as possible on an emotional level and that trigger images in their minds. Stories that our employees can identify with. 
The great thing is that it works! I'm happy when someone says to me, “Wow! Great story.” Then I know it's resonating.

In addition, Xact is supported by a network of over 50 people who serve as multipliers. 

Among other things, we have developed a digital learning path for our employees with the network. In it, they share their personal stories in video messages on specific learning cards. 
The digital learning path is now available in eleven languages and covers all cultural elements of our Xact guidelines and principles. The aim is to encourage colleagues to exchange ideas. 

Have you noticed a change in safety behavior in the plants?

I feel that way. Especially the way people talk about safety. Someone who talks about safety is no longer exotic. Ideally, safety is now a prerequisite for what we do.
 
As a result, the accident rate has fallen significantly over the years.  

Do you have a wish for the future? 

That people at LANXESS feel that, despite challenges in production, economic turmoil and high bureaucratic hurdles, we are focused on their well-being and safety. That employees at LANXESS feel SAFE in every respect.