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In his own words, Dr Sven Timm “wears two hats – the national hat as Director Central Prevention Division of Deutsche Gesetzliche Unfallversicherung e.V. (German Social Accident Insurance - DGUV), working with the state labour inspection organisations to develop joint OSH strategies” he explains. “And the international hat as Vice President of the International Sections of the ISSA on Information in Prevention and on a Culture of Prevention, which promote preventive safety and health information and culture, and also provides a platform for cooperation to enhance worldwide prevention culture within the framework of VISION ZERO”. He is also a Vice Chair of the Special Commission for Prevention of the ISSA.
Sven’s work at DGUV spans more than 25 years. “DGUV is an umbrella organisation with a broad role. I’m focused on engagement and collaborating with state organisations on OSH strategies and interventions”. And his role with ISSA is also focused on collaboration and cooperation. “The sections take multiple approaches to information. We produce publications, newsletters, hold conferences, issue anthologies of different approaches”, Sven explains. “We also organise the International Media Festival for Prevention (IMFP) at the World Congress, which has been held since 1990. The IMFP awards media productions that contribute to the improvement of safety and health in the workplace” (https://mediainprevention.org/de/mediathek.html).
There’s further evidence of Sven’s skills and experience as a collaborator and communicator in the engagement and communication work of the ISSA section. “The sections participate and support other conferences and events. We find smaller and crucial groups that can have an impact – in a country or industry. Then work with them to develop events. In Zimbabwe for example, the National Social Security Authority NSSA holds an annual congress with 700 attendees, supported by the ISSA Section on Information for Prevention”.
As we discuss the “Reaching the Unreached” symposium that Sven is moderating at the World Congress, Sven looks to clarify what is meant by ‘unreached’. “They are groups of workers, such as small business owners, migrant workers, First Nations workers, and those in the informal and gig economies”. “These groups”, he explains “often lack formal representation structures such as trade unions or associations to support them in meeting OSH requirements”.
“How can we reach the unreached? that’s a good question” says Sven. “In Germany there is almost no informal work, but we can do more work in reaching small and micro businesses”. In other countries, the rate of informal work is much higher, over 60 percent of the world’s adult labor force according to the International Labor Organisation. “This creates huge issues that are being tackled in very innovative ways across the globe”.
Sven highlights the work of one of the symposium speakers, Monica Nwosu, co-founder, and Executive Director of the Association of Nigerian Women Safety Professionals. “Monica’s inspiration for working with an unreached group came when visiting her hairdresser. She looked at the salon through an OSH lens and noted the impact of a lack of safety and health knowledge had resulted in staff experiencing musculoskeletal issues”. It’s clear listening to Sven that he is both motivated and excited by calls to action and endeavours such as Monica’s. “The opportunity to learn from the ideas presented in this symposium are fantastic”.
When asked what has changed in safety prevention since Sven began his OSH career more than 30 years ago, he readily shares his observations. “Obviously technology has created safer production, and the divide between home and work no longer exists”. “There’s been a steady change in culture as well, with recognition that employees need to be motivated and made to feel part of a team. Rules 6 and 7 of VISION ZERO support this sort of work”.
Sven notes that “the impact of technology in OSH has been substantial”. He shares with us the GESTIS Substance Database, developed and managed by DGUV as an example. “GESTIS is a substance database containing information on appr. 9,000 substances. It’s free, can be downloaded and is accessible on iOS and Android”. It’s clear that Sven enjoys sharing OSH knowledge and information. “I love seeding the interest in health and safety through knowledge sharing and education”.
If there’s one thing that delegates can learn from Sven Timm, it’s that he firmly believes in a safety mindset, guided by VISION ZERO. “I want people to have an intrinsic motivation to work towards 100% prevention and we do this by building worker and employer knowledge, one procedure or process at a time”.
As a long time participant in the World Congress, Sven is looking forward to visiting Australia. “It will be another great World Congress, helping people to collect ideas from all over the world”. And there’s no doubt that Sven, a dedicated information, and knowledge sharer, will have plenty to share with delegates in Sydney, and his colleagues on his return to Germany.
The 23rd World Congress is coming to Australia for the first time, so don’t pass up the opportunity to network with industry leaders and OSH professionals from 127 countries. Registrations are open now and tickets include workshops, technical tours, and side events.
