Company doctor Dr Christiane Staudacher has been looking after employees at various REWE Group Central locations in Cologne for two years. The occupational physician talks about the importance of prevention and the right amount to drink in hot weather.
Dr Christiane Staudacher is an occupational physician from the team at health service provider B.A.D. and in this role is the company doctor for several REWE Group locations in Cologne. She describes her tasks here as follows: "On the one hand, our job is to advise employers on occupational health and safety. There are legal requirements that have to be met. We have to make sure that the regulations are complied with and are in close dialogue with the company's own occupational safety specialists, for example, to ensure that employees are exposed to as few hazards as possible." She also mentions her medical consultation hours at the sites, which all colleagues can take advantage of, prevention and the reintegration of employees with long-term illnesses as other important areas of activity: "If an illness has already occurred or perhaps rehabilitation measures have taken place, it means supporting the person and helping to ensure that they can return to work," says the company doctor, who finds her work very meaningful: "I have realised that you can make a big difference, especially in preventive care, consultation hours and reintegration."
Of course, she also deals with current issues such as climate change and its consequences for health. Her tip for extremely hot days: „Make sure you drink a sufficient amount of two to three litres per day.“ "In general, it is advisable to take several short breaks, if possible in cool places. And make sure you drink enough water - two to three litres a day. "
Of course, it is easier to make sure you have a good cooling system at home: "There are insulated curtains that reflect the light and don't necessarily have to be dark. If you use fans, you should make sure that there isn't too much of a draught and that the cool air doesn't cause tension or cold symptoms."
Especially on very warm days, nutrition becomes even more important. The company doctor advises low-sugar drinks and "light food such as vegetables and salad. It's better not to eat a burger at lunchtime, which is heavy on the stomach and makes you tired. A high-fibre diet, on the other hand, helps you to feel more agile and able to work even in the heat."
The company doctor
At REWE Group, company doctor Dr Christiane Staudacher is responsible for the Cologne Central locations in Stolbergerstraße, Domstraße, REWE digital in Mülheim, the Cologne wine cellar, the location in Hürth and HLS. She is part of the B.A.D. team. The health service provider B.A.D. offers an occupational health service throughout Germany with around 500 company doctors.
Both German and English comments appear here.
Irrespective of the fact that the canteen kitchens at the logistics and administration sites do an excellent job, we should consider whether burgers (either as a weekly dish or at least once a week), pizza (daily) and currywurst should be on the menu on a regular basis. I would like to see nutritional awareness on the menu here.