#HeraeusPeople Story
Lioness with a heart
Dr. Anja Teske, Head of EHS Governance and Performance, HBS Corporate EHS
'We protect our people, our planet, our property and our prosperity' is more than just a slogan for me. It is my daily mission. As Head of Audits and Assessments, I fight for everyone at Heraeus in occupational health and safety and environmental protection. I am a lioness with a heart – consistent when it comes to safety regulations, but always with humanity.
Safety begins with understanding
My commitment is shown in many ways: in the weekly incident call, through active listening and targeted inquiries. My many years of experience in the life sciences and chemical industry help me to look behind the scenes and recognize connections. “Accidents are not just numbers – they are spouses, parents, children, colleagues,” I emphasize again and again in meetings. This perspective shapes me and makes me always approachable for all safety-related concerns.
For example, if someone is off work for two weeks because they have been burned with hydrofluoric acid, it takes empathy. I can't just say: “Here, you weren't paying attention.” The reality is more complex. There are incidents in which employees were negligent. And there are accidents where someone was distracted because their child is ill at home, for example. My job is to recognize these differences and act accordingly.
One step ahead
Dealing with near misses is also particularly important to me. If someone slips on a wet floor but doesn't fall, that's a warning signal. Together with my team, I oversee the system we use to record and process near misses. All in all, I can say that I am proud to contribute to the protection of our colleagues on a daily basis. It's a task that fulfills me."