Environmental Statement 2012 (3.25 MB) - voestalpine

voestalpine VAE GmbH 

voestalpine Weichensysteme GmbH 

voestalpine HYTRONICS GmbH 

www.voestalpine.com/weichensysteme 

updated 

Environmental Statement 2012 

Zeltweg Location 

Environmental Protection. Climate Protection. Health Protection. Employee Protection.

ANNUALLY UPDATED ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT 

in accordance with the Directive (EG) No. 1221/2009 (“EMAS III Directive”) of the European Parliament and the 

Council from November 25, 2009 concerning the voluntary participation of organisations in a joint environmental 

management and environmental operational auditing system (EMAS). 

The Environmental Statement 2012 contains an update concerning changes within the company and projects and 

data of environmental relevance. The Environmental Statement of the voestalpine location in Zeltweg also 

incorporates integrated aspects, projects and data relating to employee protection (health and safety). 

In line with the EMAS III directive, the Environmental Statement 2012 is connected to the Environmental Statement 

2011, which contains a description of the location, the products, general environmental issues and successfully 

completed environmental projects. 

Contact: 

Manfred Torschitz 

Head of the Health, Safety, Environment & Energy Strategy Department (HSEE) 

Alpinestrasse 1, 8740 Zeltweg, Austria 

T: ++43/50304-28-350, 

manfred.torschitz@voestalpine.com 

In addition, company environmental statements can also be studied on our homepage: 

http://www.voestalpine.com/weichensysteme

Contents 

INTRODUCTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS 1 

ENVIRONMENTAL, HEALTH AND SAFETY OBJECTIVES & SUCCESSES 3 

Examples of measures implemented in 2012 9 

FACTS AND FIGURES FOR THE LOCATION 2012 15 

Input/output balance and core indicators 15 

Water 17 

Water 17 

Wastewater 17 

Transport 18 

Air 19 

Dust 19 

Volatile organic carbons (VOC) 19 

Other emissions 20 

Energy and CO 2 21 

Waste 23 

Use of plant area 24 

Accidents 25 

GENERAL INFORMATION 27 

Your discussion partner 28 

Entry into the organisational roster and date of 

the next Environmental Statement 28 

Awards 28 

Key words - abbreviations 29 

Validation and certificates 31 

Imprint 31

1 

INTRODUCTION OBJECTIVES/SUCCESSES FACTS/FIGURES GENERAL INFORMATION 

INTRODUCTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS 

With the 2012 Environmental Statement we hope to provide you with interesting information 

regarding current data and company activities of environmental and safety relevance at the 

voestalpine location in Zeltweg. 

This year witnessed the targeted reworking and improvement of the Zeltweg location’s fire 

protection and extinguishing water concept. The extinguishing water requirement calculation 

was updated, new roof fire sections were determined and a new extinguishing water pipe installed 

for the optimum design and implementation of the necessary extinguishing water supply. This 

is fed from the high-pressure pipeline of the location’s small-scale hydropower plant, which has 

allowed us to implement an ideal solution and attain security of supply, as owing to inherent 

pressure this system does not require any pumps or an external power source. 

In addition, we were once again able to successfully implement measures for enhanced energy 

efficiency (renovation of the BG 6+7 roof, the use of waste heat for ventilation), reduced dust levels 

(new extraction and filter system for butt welding) and improved ergonomics (renovation of the 

changing room and sanitation amenities for 150 employees). 

As reported extensively in the Environmental Statements of recent years, a long-term energy 

concept based on energy savings and efficiency, CO 2 -neutral biomass-fired district heating and 

CO 2 -free electricity supply from our small-scale hydropower plant has already been implemented 

at our Zeltweg location. Consequently, we have created an ideal foundation for the accreditation 

of an energy management system pursuant to ISO 50001 and this has been set as a target for the 

end of 2013. 

From the perspective of the holding company and with a view to the international subsidiaries, the 

successful accreditation of the Turkish subsidiary VADEMSAS in accordance with ISO 14001 

and OHSAS 18001 in October 2012 is to be regarded as a very special highlight and we wish 

to offer our sincere congratulations to the management and personnel at this location, which is 

located roughly 150 km north of Ankara. 

An equally outstanding achievement is the successful conclusion of the extensive soil and ground 

water remediation measures at the former “milling cycle line” at the Brandenburg location in 

teamwork with Deutsche Bahn. A contaminated area has been replaced by jobs and a hall has 

been put into operation on the same site, which contains the “turnout grinding” services centre. 

The Board of Directors would like to thank all our competent and committed employees, who 

through their ideas and efforts have made these successes possible.



Dieter Fritz Johannes Rainer Oswald Werner Saringer 

(Spokesperson) (CEO) (CEO) 


Wolfgang Schriefl Helmut Kreiter 

(Spokesperson) (CEO) 


Josef Winter Johannes Kreinbucher 

(Spokesperson) (CEO) 

2

3 

ENVIRONMENTAL, HEALTH AND SAFETY 

OBJECTIVES & SUCCESSES


The following is an overview of the status and implementation of our activities in the 

HSEE field and above all, our objectives for the coming years. Naturally enough, the 

programme of measures is subject to continuous further development in line with the 

knowledge and requirements emanating from ongoing operations and we are pleased 

to state that during this year we were once again able to pinpoint additional challenges, 

which have already largely been dealt with successfully. 

Abbreviations: 

vaW = voestalpine Weichensysteme GmbH, vaH = voestalpine HYTRONICS GmbH, VAE = voestalpine VAE GmbH (Holding), StZ = joint, superordinated 

activities at the Zeltweg location 

Measure Objective or success Realisation 

WATER/WASTEWATER 

Elimination of process wastewater at the 

Zeltweg location (StZ) 

Renewal of approx. 300m of drinking water 

piping (StZ) 

AIR (DUST, VOC, ETC.) 

Optimisation of the extractor/filter system of 

the welding robot in BG 7 (vaW) 

Optimised extraction/filter system for both 

“submerged arc welding” workplaces in BG7 

(vaW) 

Optimised central extraction for insulated rail 

joint and slide rod bonding in BG11 (vaW) 

Installation of automatic underpressure 

controls in the filter systems (vaW) 

Measures already completed 

Newly established measures 

Measures that proved impossible or were substituted 

The introduction of an induction heating system that 

will eliminate the last production phase at the location 

to emit wastewater (to date approx. 1,700 m³/y required 

for descaling); consequently only sanitation and cooling 

water at the location 

Plant already built; authorisation processes for the 

changeover are in progress and will continue up to 

2013 

Replacement of the roughly 60-year-old DN 150 

pipeline, which saves leaks and well pump power 

Reduction of the ambient dust impact by approx. 60% 

The very latest dust and fine dust filter system with 

>99.9% removal levels also facilitates circulatory air 

conduction; resultant annual savings of 16 MWh of 

heating energy and approx. 3.1t CO 2 

Central extraction with specially adapted hoods 

instead of individual extractors for the tacking and 

fixing working phases 

Travelling spot extractions along the welding seam 

Optimised capture with a 40% reduction in impact on 

the employees and the surrounding hall area 

Clean air values < 1 mg/Nm³, 99.9% removal level with 

energy-saving air recirculation 

Heating savings of approx. 35 MWh corresponding 

prevention of approx. 7 t CO 2 emissions/year 

Merger of the previously separated working areas 

250% increase in extraction capacity and doubling of 

the extraction points 

Explosion-protective design of the extraction system 

Optimum capture of solvents in the work areas by 

means of table extraction 

Underfloor piping installation to prevent the danger of 

tripping 

Automatic control of extractor performance for 

optimum dust capture in the work areas (without 

draughts), as well as optimum energy consumption (via 

frequency converter controlled motors) 

July 2013 

July 2012 

March 2011 

March 2012 

March 2011 

March 2011 

4

5 



Renewal of the extractor hood and filter 

system on the butt welding machine (vaW) 

ENERGY/CO 2 

Induction heat system for tongue production 

(vaW) 

Design and completion of an ideally modified extractor 

with mobile shield for the maximum, high-level capture 

of welding smoke for a reduction in impact on both 

employees and the environment 

Related doubling of the design air volume to approx. 

8,000 m³/h 

Reduction in average welding smoke impact in the 

immediate working area by 10% (peak reduction of up 

to 50%) 

Reduction of the average dust loads in the surrounding 

hall by approx. 40% 

Fire safety package consisting of optimised spark 

protection, a cyclone for spark removal, integrated fire 

alarm and extinguishing connection 

High-quality, cartridge filter system with removal levels 

of over 99.9% 

Energy-efficient system design (automatic 

underpressure controls and frequency controlled 

ventilator, differential pressure controlled cleaning 

with sequential dedusting for low compressed air 

consumption and a continuous high airflow in tandem 

with minimum resistance) 

Automatic on/off system and waste/circulatory air 

switching in line with the welding programme for the 

recycling of warm clean air during the heating period 

with resultant savings of approx. 75 MWh of heating 

energy per year, which corresponds with a reduction of 

approx. 15 t CO 2 

Undercutting of the emission limit by more than 90% 

Replacement of the natural gas fuelled tongue furnace 

used to date by an electric induction system operated 

with CO 2 -free electricity from the hydropower plant at 

the location 

Replacement of natural gas consumption of approx. 

150,000 m³/y and prevention of emissions of approx. 

340 t of CO 2 per year 

Roof renovation BG6 and BG7 (vaW) Thermal renovation of approx. 3,100 m² of roof, as well 

as 520 m² of skylight, vertical bonding and 130 m² of 

gables 

Installation of 18cm mineral wool insulation with heat 

conductance of 0.035 W/(m²K) 

Improvement in the U-value of the new roofs from 0.59 

to 0.19 W/m²K 

Heating savings of approx. 160 MWh/year 

Corresponding prevention of approx. 32t CO 2 

emissions/y 

Technical fire prevention optimisation 

Inside noise absorption level of (as >0.60) 


July 2013 

July 2012



Installation of hall ventilation with heat 

recovery in the mechanical production in 

BG25 (vaH) 

Comparative study regarding office air 

conditioning in BG25 (vaH) 

Renewal of the electricity distribution system 

in BG11 (vaW) 

Integrated energy and waste heat concept 

for heating and hot water preparation as part 

of the renovation of the social and hygiene 

amenities in BG 11 for some 150 employees 

(vaW) 

Introduction and certification of an energy 

management system pursuant to ISO 50001 at 

the Zeltweg location (StZ) 

Installation of a central ventilation system with a 

capacity of 15,000 m³/h including a cross-flow heat 

exchanger with an efficiency level of approx. 66% 

Heating savings of approx. 130 MWh/y 

Corresponding prevention of approx. 56t CO 2 

emissions/year 

Ergonomic improvements in air conditions (draughts, 

temperature, dampness and malodours) through an 

optimised ventilation concept with supply air source 

ventilators and exhaust air spot and room air extractors 

In- and outdoor noise-minimisation design 

Automatic controls 

Integrated cooling for supply air in summer 

External, specialist study for the comparison of various 

cooling technologies and the determination of possible 

measures for a reduction in the cooling load and a 

basis for the planning of an air conditioning system for 

the office units in BG25 (approx. 1,300 m² office space) 

Reduction in losses (approx. 3%) through modern 

switchgear and bus bar controls 

Thermal renovation of the floor, walls, windows and 

ceiling 

Mechanical ventilation and deaeration concept with 

cross-flow heat exchanger (64.1% efficiency), which 

saves 53 MWh of heat energy per year and 10.5t of 

CO 2 emissions, as well as providing an ergonomically 

excellent room atmosphere with regard to moisture, 

odour and freedom from draughts 

Renewal of the waste heat recycling system of the 

compressed air compressors in the adjacent building, 

which brings far higher efficiency (potential of up to 120 

kW of heat) and allows the use of this energy for the 

production of hot water and heating; additional surplus 

is conducted to the hall heating system in BG10; use of 

approx. 450 MWh/y saves roughly 90t CO 2 emissions 

annually 

Installation of modern, water-saving armatures for 

water/wastewater and energy economies 

Energy-saving lighting 

Modern interior design regarding appearance, hygiene 

and safety (fire alarm system, escape route lighting, 

etc.) 

Organisational basis is incorporated into the existing 

management system 

Strategic-technical measures have already been 

implemented successfully in recent years to a large 

extent 

Formal documentary supplementation is to be 

undertaken 

Knock-on effects are being sought, especially on the 

level of employee awareness with regard to individual 

conduct during day-to-day working 

June 2012 




December 2013 

6

7 



SOIL AND WASTE 

Study for the optimisation of the occurrence, 

storage and disposal of cooling lubricant 

covered swarf (StZ) 

Uniform design of waste islands and collecting 

bins (StZ) 

NOISE AND RADIATION PROTECTION 

In connection with roof renovation of BG6/7 

(vaW) 

In connection with hall ventilation/heat 

recovery in the mechanical production in 

BG25 (vaH) 

Dissertation concerning the identification of potential 

for the avoidance of this material and optimisation 

during storage and transport procedures as a basis for 

possible subsequent measures in this connection 

Determination of optimum locations and design of 

waste islands 

Technical noise insulation optimisation: improvement in 

the noise insulation capacity of then roof construction 

by 4 dB(A) to Rw = 39 dB(A) 

Technical minimisation of noise impact on the 

neighbours (installation points, noise insulation 

housings, top quality exhaust silencers) 


July 2013 



ERGONOMIC AND TECHNICAL SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS FOR EMPLOYEES AND THE ENVIRONMENT 

Replacement of all open (non-insulated) crane 

contact lines (vaW) 

Replacement of all open lines with insulated safety 

contact lines for the prevention of electrical accidents 

(above all danger during work in the halls by external 

companies) 

Total of approx. 720m of contact lines substituted 

Refurbished half-portal crane in BG5 (vaW) Improved load handling safety through greater lifting 

height, increased load-bearing capacity, stay cable 

securing system, all-wheel drive for trolley travel 

Additional bridge crane for straightening in 

BG4 (vaW) 

Revision of the crane directive and 

introduction of a phased concept for 

authorised crane operators (vaW) 

Ergonomic mats for the frog and tongue 

grinding cabins (vaW) 

Improved ergonomics (physical posture/loads) and 

safer handling of workpieces in the straightening unit 

due to a new 5t bridge crane 

Collation of the experience of crane operators and 

master craftsmen in a new crane directive 

Phased model for the attainment of a operating 

authorisation in line with the degree of difficulty 

Stage 1: test of various products with the employees 

Stage 2: fitting of the cabins with a total of 330 m² of 

ergonomic mats of the winning make 

Office renovation BG11 (vaW) Renovation of approx. 120 m² of office space in BG11 

Floor and facade heat insulation 

Windows with internal and external heat and noise 

insulation 

Sun protection, low-draught air conditioning 

Ergonomic interior design and fittings 

New safety officer meetings (StZ) New organisational form for efficient cooperation of 

the more than 80 safety officers through divisional and 

location meetings 

Use of the experience and strengthening of the 

influence of the Safety Officers during daily business 

(active identification and correction of unsafe conduct) 

HSEE database merger (StZ) Merger of the various databases for plant, materials, 

accidents, etc. in the “Gutwinski” plant and assignment 

management software 

ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY PREVENTION MEASURES (RISK MANAGEMENT) 

Fire and disaster planning revision and 

optimisation (StZ) 

Optimisation of content, procedures and graphic 

presentation of the fire and disaster protection plans 

for the further improvement of the safe and rapid 

handling in emergencies 

Exercises (internal and with the Zeltweg Fire Service) 

March 2011 

March 2011 


March 2013 

February 2011 

February 2012 

From November 

2011 

July 2013 

December 2012



New extinguishing water supply concept (StZ) Connection of an approx.1,000m-long branch pipe to 

the high-pressure pipeline of the company’s own smallscale 

hydropower plant at the location 

Pressure-loss optimised design secures full coverage 

water volumes of approx. 3,800 l/min throughout the 

plant 

As a result of own pressure, the supply is independent 

of the electricity system or diesel aggregates and is 

therefore largely protected against outages 

Improved fire section structure (vaW) The main danger of fire spreading emanates from old 

roofing with underlying layers of wood and tar paper 

Complete reworking of the marking, 

signposting and design of emergency islands 

at the location (StZ) 

Strengthening of the statics in BG6, BG7 and 

BG11 (vaW) 

Control of the fire protection doors by means 

of the fire alarm system in BG2 (vaW) 

VAE HSE MANAGEMENT 

These areas have already been reduced by some 3,100 

m 2 through the renovation of the roof on BG 6/7 

Installation of two additional 5m-wide separating strips 

respectively for the subdivision of the roofs in the fire 

sections in BG 3/4 and BG 11 (total of approx. 850 m² 

of roof fire barriers) 

Relates to the marking of pipes, locks, emergency 

equipment, danger warnings, etc. both on the spot and 

in planning documentation 

Coordination with fire and disaster planning and the 

waste island concept 

Strengthening for greater snow loads and roof 

transported infrastructure 

Installation of open holding systems with automatic 

closing mechanisms for the case of fire 

VAE model manual (VAE) Model and source of ideas for manuals, processes/ 

procedures and checklists for integrated management 

systems from ISO9001, ISO14001 and OHSAS 18001 

for subsidiaries 

VADEMSAS 14001+18001 certification (VAE) Consulting and support for the newly founded 

subsidiary VADEMSAS during ISO14001 and 

OHSAS18001 accreditation 

VAE HSE Newsletter (VAE) Information concerning current topics and changes 

in the areas of legislation and technology, as well as 

operational experience 

HSEE-integrated design of the new 

VADEMSAS plant in Turkey (VAE) 

HSEE-integrated design of a new plant in 

Saudi Arabia (VAE) 

October 2011: topic of EU Scrap Directive 

June 2012: experience report regarding new CE 

directives 

Inclusion of HSEE measures from the initial planning 

phase: for successes 

Inclusion of HSEE measures from the initial planning 

phase: choice of construction materials, heat 

insulation, lighting/ventilation, air conditioning, energy 

building control system, fire protection, work safety due 

to plant layout, material flow and plant design, storage 

technology, emergency prevention measures, etc. 

September 2012 


December 2013 



March 2013 

October 2012 

ongoing 

May 2011 

July 2013 

8

9 


Examples of measures implemented in 2012 

RENEWAL OF THE BUTT WELDING 

EXTRACTOR/FILTER SYSTEM 

A specially designed extractor hood with mobile filter 

system shield and internal spot extraction cuts the dust 

burdens in the surrounding hall by 40%. 

The cyclone and the top-quality cartridge remove over 

99.9% of the captured dust. 

In addition, the energy-efficient design of the system has 

optimised electricity and compressed air consumption, 

while program-controlled, circulatory conduction of 

the cleaned air facilitates heating savings of approx. 75 

MWh/y (corresponds with roughly 15 t CO 2 /y). 

OPTIMISED WELDING SMOKE CAPTURE IN 

THE SUBMERGED ARC WELDING WORK 

STATIONS IN BG7 

Central extraction with specially adapted hoods as 

well as parallel running spot extraction, reduces in the 

tacking and fixing phases the welding smoke impact on 

employees and the in place of individual extractors, area 

surrounding the submerged arc welding work stations 

by approx. 40%. 

Owing to the top-quality filter system, the cleaned 

air can be returned to the hall thus saving 35 MWh of 

heating energy and roughly 7t CO 2 annually.


ROOF RENOVATION BG6+7: 

The renovation of such a large roof area during 

continuous operation in the hall below constituted both 

a production and construction logistics challenge for the 

entire project team. 

From the section-by-section removal of the roofing 

paper and the wood substructure of the old roof, to the 

installation of new support and insulation layers and the 

completion of the new roof, numerous special solutions 

had to be found and obstacles overcome …. 

… in order to reap the rewards: 

Thermal renovation of approx. 3,100 m² of roof and 520 m² 

of roof windows 

Installation of 18 cm mineral wool insulation 0.035 

W(m²K) 

Improvement in the U-value of the new roof from 0.59 to 

0.19 W/m²K 

Heating consumption savings of approx.160 MWh/y 

Corresponds with a reduction of approx. 32 t CO 2 - 

emissions per year 

Technical fire protection optimisation 

Noise-absorbent inner side with absorption level of (as 

>0.60) 

Improvement in the external noise insulation level 

of 4 dB(A) (corresponds with a halving of the noise 

intensity on the roof areas) 

Static strengthening from 140 to approx. 190 kN/m 2 

load-bearing capacity (snow loads) 

10

11 


VENTILATION SYSTEM WITH HEAT 

RECOVERY FOR BG 25 MECHANICAL 

PRODUCTION 

The installation of a central ventilation system with 

an efficient heat recovery system (66% efficiency) not 

only saves approx. 130 MWh of heat energy per year 

(corresponds with approx. 56 t CO 2 /y)… 

... but with the help of a carefully considered concept 

consisting of extraction elements and fresh air vents, 

also provides a pleasant ambient atmosphere without 

draughts and minimum internal and external noise 

emissions. 

RENOVATION OF THE HYGIENE AND 

SOCIAL AMENITIES IN BG11 

Mechanical ventilation and deaeration concept with 

cross-flow heat exchanger (64.1% efficiency) saves 53 

MWh of heat energy per year and 10.5t of CO 2 emissions, 

as well as providing an ergonomically excellent room 

atmosphere with regard to moisture, odour and freedom 

from draughts. 

Linkage to the renewed waste heat recycling system of 

the compressed air compressors in the adjacent building 

(potential up to 120 kW heat output) cuts approx. 450 

MWh of energy and approx. 90 t CO 2 emissions per year 

from the hot water preparation and heating requirement.


NEW EXTINGUISHING WATER CONCEPT 

AND DRINKING WATER PIPELINE 

The installation of non-inflammable separating strips 

fire barriers) in the old roofs has reduced the size of the 

fire sections. 

Together with hydrants from the location’s own drinking 

water system, a branch pipe from the high-pressure 

pipeline of the small-scale hydropower plant secures the 

supply of extinguishing water. 

12

13 


TURKEY - VADEMSAS: ISO 14001 AND 

OHSAS 18001 ACCREDITATION 

VADEMSAS became operational in May 

2011. This joint venture with TCDD, Turkish 

State Railways, and Kardemir, an industrial 

partner, is located in the city of Cankiri 

some 150km north of Ankara. 

During the design of the new plant, from the very first 

planning phase health, safety, environmental and 

energy factors were considered in a fully integrated 

manner. 

For example, technical measures included: 

The careful selection of construction materials with 

regard to freedom from pollutants and optimum heat 

insulation for the facades, roofing and windows 

Technical safety optimisation in connection with 

accident prevention through a correct procedural layout, 

the material flow concept and plant design 

Efficient lighting and heat reduction in summer by 

means of sun protection and ventilation concepts 

Clean natural gas heating systems, above all using a 

highly efficient dark radiator system in the production hall 

Modern fire alarm systems in the halls and offices, as 

well as emergency power supply systems/batteries and 

emergency lighting systems 

A secure extinguishing water supply with storage tanks, 

hydrants and pressure increase system 

Ergonomic office fixtures and fittings 

Employee-friendly design of the social and sanitation 

amenities 

Fix-mounted roof safety system for maintenance 

purposes 

Low environmental impact, separate drainage system 

for precipitation and wastewater from the hygiene 

amenities


This created an excellent basis for the creation 

and certification of an environmental management 

system pursuant to ISO 14001 and a health and safety 

management system in accordance with OHSAS 

18001. However, naturally enough numerous measures, 

especially on an organisational level, still required 

preparation and implementation, e.g. 

The definition of the processes and procedures of 

environmental and health/safety relevance 

The drawing up of useful checklists 

The completion and documentation of the initial 

environmental/safety examinations, particularly with 

regard to legal conformity, as well as data of 

environmental and safety relevance 

Most importantly, the training of the employees 

with respect to the health, safety and environmental 

aspects of their activities 

The structures for an integrated, overall quality, safety 

and environmental management system were already 

established in 2011 during the successful design and 

certification of the quality management system pursuant 

to ISO 9001, and following intensive, focused efforts 

were subjected to successful accreditation according to 

ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 in October 2012. 

Apart from this achievement, in the course of the project 

a VAE Model Manual was drawn up in teamwork with 

the Zeltweg location, which will also assist other VAE 

Group subsidiaries during the creation of environmental 

and safety management systems. 

14

15 


FACTS AND FIGURES FOR THE LOCATION 2012 

Input/output balance and core indicators 

The presented input/output balance covers all the in- and outgoing material flows of 

the voestalpine location in Zeltweg. The following data was prepared with the help 

of the in-house developed computer-aided Environmental Information System and 

relates to the 2011 financial year (April 1, 2011 – March 31, 2012). 

The following table contains the environmental indicators for the location in line with EMAS III-Directive for 

the six keys areas of material efficiency, energy efficiency, water, waste, emissions and biological diversity. On 

the one hand, the data for these areas is provided in absolute figures and on the other, in relation to total annual 

output, for which the volumes delivered are included in kilograms. 

The core indicators (CI) are then subsequently calculated on the basis of these measurements and benchmarks: 

MATERIAL EFFICIENCY. The data listed here consists of all goods receipts in terms of weight and the 

consumables and supplies used. 

ENERGY EFFICIENCY. The energy consumption data derives from company maintenance and servicing. The 

share of renewable energy from the respective energy suppliers. 

WATER. Water consumption is registered in terms of volume. 

WASTE. The annual volumes of non-hazardous and hazardous waste are listed separately along with the share 

of scrap, which dominates in terms of volume. 

EMISSIONS. Some CO 2 emissions are of relevance and can be measured in terms of volume. In the case 

of other emissions, e.g. dust, NOx, etc. discontinuous operation makes it impossible to define large- 

volume flows and the comparative measurements and limits are contained in the tables in the “Air and 

Wastewater” section. 

BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY. As required, the area consumption of the sealed areas in terms of square metres is 

used. As this value remains virtually unaltered, the definition of an efficiency figure in this connection has no 

validity. 

It must be pointed out that the stating of core indicators as stipulated by EMAS III, which include the receipt of 

working materials, energy, emissions or waste quantities, etc. with regard to a certain reference quantity of the 

finished end product (per metric ton, per million euros of sales revenue, etc.), can only be employed to a very 

limited extent for an assessment concerning the performance trend at the voestalpine location in Zeltweg, 

as the company completes single item and small batch production. In addition, we not only offer complete units, 

but also every type of spare part and individual components and these various parts are all linked to differing 

environmental effects. In this connection, neither physical dimensions such as mass, length, etc., nor financial 

values (e.g. sales revenues, value added) provide a practical benchmark for the preparation of environmental key 

figures, which would also be linked to a control effect. By contrast, the preparation of typical technical safety key 

figures, their relationship to the number of employees, working hours, etc. is more meaningful and data in this 

regard is contained in the “Accident Statistics” section.

Financial year (April 1 - March 31) 2011/12 Unit 2010/11 Unit 

Mass delivered in kg [kgAM] 34,900,000 31,200,000 

Material efficiency 2011/12 CI[kg/kgAM] 2010/11 CI[kg/kgAM] 

Mass of goods received [kg] 32,600,000 0.93 32,488,190 1.04 

Chemical materials and supplies [kg] 50,559 0.0014 52,088 0.0017 

Machine oils and lubricant grease 14,243 18,104 

Oil binders 1,480 820 

Cooling lubricants 13,525 9,022 

Cleaning agents for workpieces and supplies 1,764 2,139 

Cleaning agents for the hygiene sector 1,357 1,306 

Adhesives and sealants 2,185 2,101 

Paints/varnishes 949 1,080 

Linseed oil 4,315 3,655 

Winding bitumen 40 40 

Specific supplies (anti-freeze agents…) 17 32 

Penetration agents 1,740 2,125 

Photografic chemicals 100 60 

Explosives 1 5,726 6,328 

De-icing salt 2,600 4,900 

Other chemical substances 519 376 

1 not directly stored on site, but employed at VA Eisenerz 

Energy efficiency 2011/12 CI[MWh/kgAM] 2010/11 CI[MWh/kgAM] 

Total energy consumption [MWh] 19,509 0.00056 20,115 0,00064 

Total renewable energy consumption [MWh] from 

electricity 2 and district heating and ther share in % 

2 Electricity from own hydropower plant from 1/2010, district heating from biomass from 12/2009 

Energy supplies [MWh] and the share 

of renewable energy in % 

11,992 61% 13,013 65% 

Electricity 6,404 84% 6,245 91% 

Petrol/diesel 761 763 

Natural gas for processes and gas filling station 3,460 3,599 

Natural gas for heating 2,254 2,182 

Biomass-based district heating 6,630 100% 7,326 100% 

Water 2011/12 CI[m³/kgAM] 2010/11 CI[m³/kgAM] 

Water consumption [m³] 18,000 0.0005 18,000 0.0006 

Waste 2011/12 CI[kg/kgAM] 2010/11 CI[kg/kgAM] 

Waste non-hazardous [kg] 232,203 0.007 130,215 0.004 

Waste hazardous [kg] 104,942 0.003 123,893 0.004 

Scrape [kg] 2,576,200 0.074 2,067,280 0.066 

Emissions 3 (CO 2 -Emissions) 2011/12 CI[kg/kgAM] 2010/11 CI[kg/kgAM] 

CO 2 -Emissions [kg] 1,771,255 0.05 1,445,300 0.05 

CO 2 -credit from electricity inputs [kg] 2,757,579 2,843,940 

3 The share with regard to cooling agent amounts to < 5kg, which 

corresponds with less than 10,000 kg of emissions and ist thus irrelevant 

With regard to CO 2 -neutral location balance, please see the Energy % CO 2 

section 


Biological diversity 2011/12 CI[m²/kgAM] 2010/11 CI[m²/kgAM] 

Surfaces areas [m²] 73,650 0.002 73,650 0.002 

16

17 


Water 

WATER 

The plant’s own well supplies both voestalpine’s production facilities and the neighbouring firms at the Zeltweg 

industrial location with drinking and process water. The total extracted volume currently amounts to approx. 

90,000 m³/y. 

Numerous measures such as the implementation of a meter concept, related leakage monitoring and minimisation, 

as well as savings in the consumer area (e.g. through water-saving armatures) mean that in spite of a marked 

increase in production and employee numbers (+15%), since 1995 water consumption in the voestalpine has been 

reduced by over 80 % to approx. 20,000 m³/y. 

[m³] 

140000 

120000 

100000 

80000 

60000 

40000 

20000 

WASTEWATER 

Water consumption in relation to number of employees 

0 

0 

1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010/112011/12 

Water consumption in m³ Number of Employees 

Wastewater of the following types, ordered in terms of volume, is produced at the location: 

Wastewater from the hygiene area (indirect discharge into the treatment plant of the Zeltweg Wastewater 

Association) 

Cooling water (direct discharge into the River Mur) 

Wastewater from plant cleaning (two wash boxes; treatment through modern oil and solids separation 

systems and subsequent indirect discharge into the treatment plant of the Zeltweg Wastewater Association) 

Number 

1000 

900 

800 

700 

600 

500 

400 

300 

200 

100


The following table contains the measurement and maximum permitted values in line with the authorisations for 

the discharges subject to annual checks: 

Plant BG Testing date Emission parameter Measured 

value 

Treated flow from the 1000t press 

oil separator 

Treated flow from the locomotive 

filling station oils separator 

Maximum 

value 

3 May 16, 2012 Temperature 13.9 °C 30 °C 

Filterable substances 1.6 mg/l 50 mg/l 

pH value 7.4 6.5 – 8.5 

Total chrome < 0.001 mg/l 0.5 mg/l 

Iron 0.24 mg/l 2 mg/l 

Nickel < 0.1 mg/l 0.5 mg/l 

CSB < 10 mg/l 75 mg/l 

Total hydrocarbons 0.14 mg/l 10 mg/l 

14 May 16, 2012 Total hydrocarbons 1.66 mg/l 5 mg/l 

Eroding machine cooling water 10 May 29, 2012 Temperature 16.6 °C 30 °C 

Transport 

Filterable substances < 20 mg/l 30 mg/l 

Chlorine, free as Cl 2 < 0.05 mg/l 0.2 mg/l 

Total CFCs < 0.1 mg/l 0.5 mg/l 

Adsorbable org. halogen 

compounds (AOX) as Cl 

< 0.1 mg/l 0.15 mg/l 

The share of the freight volume transported in and from the plant by rail during the 2012 financial year amounted 

to approximately 70%. This slight fall as opposed to recent years was due to customer transport specifications. 

The remaining transport traffic related to trucks, road transport being required owing to the urgency of deliveries 

and destinations that could only be reached by road. 14% of outgoing freight is transferred from road and rail to 

shipping for delivery to global destinations. 

2 diesel locomotives, numerous electric cranes, diesel, natural gas and electric loaders carry out transport within 

the works. 

100 

90 

80 

70 

60 

50 

40 

30 

20 

10 

0 

Transport balance -% in terms of tonnage 

Rail Road 

2009 

2010/11 

2011/12 

18

19 


Air 

The production activities of the voestalpine location in Zeltweg are characterised by a 

low level of atmospheric pollution. This quality is the result of projects in the “cleaner 

production” area (e.g. replacement of chlorinated hydrocarbons technology) and, 

where prevention at source is impossible, through investments in waste air collection 

and filter plants (e.g. grinding and welding processes). 

DUST 

Welding and grinding represent two of the major phases in turnout production and are indelibly linked to the 

generation of welding smoke and grinding dust. Measures leading to significant improvements in this regard 

have been implemented through the following phased plan as part of a dust capture concept, which enables the 

filtration of over 3,000kg of dust from the air annually: 

Phase 1: extraction at the point of origin. If impossible ... 

Phase 2: extraction using an adjustable extractor arm. If impossible ... 

Phase 3: encapsulation by means of an extractor hood or cabin 

In addition, grinders and welders are subjected to regular industrial medicine examinations. Due to the 

discontinuous production process, a statement concerning total dust emissions is impossible. However, information 

can be provided with regard to the residual dust emissions in the waste air. 

Residual dust emissions from the extractor and filter systems and the official limits (testing body: ÖSBS, Leoben). 

Testing interval: 5 years. 

Filter system BG Measurement date Emission parameter Measurement 

value (average) 

1,000 t press 4 May 17, 2011 Dust/smoke 1.3 mg/m³ 20 mg/m³ 

Frog grinding cabins 1-4 3 May 19, 2011 Grinding dust ** < 1.0 mg/m³ 20 mg/m³ 

Frog grinding cabins 5+6 3 May 19, 2011 Grinding dust ** < 1.0 mg/m³ 20 mg/m³ 

Frog grinding cabins 7+8 3 May 19, 2011 Grinding dust ** < 1.0 mg/m³ 20 mg/m³ 

Frog grinding cabin 9 3 May 20, 2011 Grinding dust ** < 1.0 mg/m³ 20 mg/m³ 

Tongue grinding cabins 1+2 5 May 20, 2011 Grinding dust ** < 1.0 mg/m³ 20 mg/m³ 

Butt welding machine 5 October 8, 2012 Welding smoke < 1.0 mg/m³ 20 mg/m³ 

Frog nose welding 4 May 17, 2011 Welding smoke** < 1.0 mg/m³ 20 mg/m³ 

Tool grinding shop 11 May 17, 2011 Grinding dust** < 1.0 mg/m³ 20 mg/m³ 

BG: building; 


VOC emission trend in t/y 

4200 

TOC concentrations in the waste air from bonding work areas (testing body: ÖSBS, Leoben); testing interval: 

5 years 

Plant BG Measurement date Emission parameter Measurement 

Insulation and slide rod 

bonding 

2987 

2554 

value (average) 

Limit 

11 May 19, 2011 TOC 65.4 mg/m³ 100 mg/m³ 

Painting cabin 25 May 16, 2011 TOC 78.6 mg/m³ 150 mg/m³ 

TOC: total organic carbon = sum of all organic solvents; measurement values in relation to waste gas under standard 

conditions; BG = company building 

OTHER EMISSIONS 

2063 2150 2153 2141 2164 

In principal, the combustion of propane, acetylene and natural gas (for heating and process heat purposes) 

is a constant source of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and carbon monoxide (CO). However, due to the quality of the 

fuels used, as well as the status and setting of the plant burners, these emissions can be adjudged as low. The 

subsequent table shows the NOx emission values our gas-fuelled furnaces on the basis of the directive calculation 

for atmospheric emissions from iron and steel production (Federal Law Gazette 169/1997) § 4 Section 5. As a 

result of the partial switch to natural gas powered loaders and proper maintenance, the exhaust emissions of the 

company vehicle fleet can also be regarded as minimised and thus low. 

NOx emissions of the annealing furnaces (testing body: ÖSBS, Leoben). Testing interval: 3 years 

System BG Measurement date Emission parameter Measurement value 

(average) 

LOI annealing furnace 4 October 11, 2012 NOx 80 mg/m³ 750 mg/m³ 

NOx: nitrogen oxide; measured values in relation to standard waste gas and 5 Vol% O2 

The table below contains the measurements and limits stipulated in the official authorisations for the natural gas 

heating boiler, air heater and overhead radiant tube systems, which have to be checked annually. In 2009, the 

majority of the heating systems were switched to biomass-fuelled district heating. 

CO and NOx emission levels of the heating systems in 2012 (testing body: manufacturers) completed; testing 

interval: 1 year 

Plant CO mg/m³ Limit mg/m³ NOx mg/m³ Limit mg/m³ 

Water heaters BG8 (FW) and BG9 (FO) 

Water heater (FW) BG8 13 80 0 120 

Water heater (FO) BG9 12 80 0 120 

4057 

1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010/112 011/12 

3642 

4065 

3089 

2800 

2582 

2762 

3256 

VOC emissions in kg 

Limit 

4073 

20

21 

25000 

20000 

15000 

10000 

5000 

0 


Energy and CO 2 

In 2012, the voestalpine location in Zeltweg consumed 19,509 MWh of energy. As 

a result of the implementation of the energy concept, the type and number of the 

processes of energy relevance have changed, as is evident in the following diagram: 

Energy consumption in MWh 

The energy consumption data is employed to determine the CO 2 emissions. Total emissions in 2012 (direct and 

indirect emissions at the location) amounted to 1,771t. As a result of the feeding of 5,069MWh of electrical energy 

from hydropower into the national grid, 2,758t CO 2 from conventional electricity production were prevented with 

the consequence that a clearly positive balance of approx. 986t resulted. 

Energy and CO 2 balance in the 2012 financial year 

Energy Quantity Unit Energy 

Elektricity hydropower plant (CO2 

free) 27.48 % 

Elektrical energy purchases 5.34 % 

Liquid fuels 3.90 % 

Gaseous fuels for processes 17.74 % 

Natural gas fuelled heating 11.55 % 

Biomass-based district heating 

(CO2 neutral) 33.99 % 

content 

MWh Translation factor CO 2 t 

Power plant electricity 5,362 MWh 5,362 MWh 0t/MWh (CO 2 -free waterpower) 0 t 

Electricity purchases 1,042 MWh 1,042 MWh 0.489t/MWh (Electricity mix 2012) 509 t 

INDIRECT TOTAL 509 t 

Diesel 70,113 l 725 MWh 0.01034 MWh/l u 0.31 t/MWh 225 t 

Petrol 3,860 l 36 MWh 0.00925 MWh/l and 0.339 t/MWh 12 t 

Heating: District heating 6,630 MWh 6,630 MWh 0 t/MWh /CO 2 -neutral biomass) 0 t 

Heating: Natural gas 202,328 Nm³ 2,254 MWh 0.00198 t/Nm³ 401 t 

Process gas: Natural gas 263,000 Nm³ 2,930 MWh 0.00198 t/Nm³ 521 t 

Process gas: Natural gas stackers 32,574 Nm³ 363 MWh 0.00198 t/Nm³ 64 t 

Process gas: Propan 12,210 kg 157 MWh 0.003 t/kg 37 t 

Process gas: Acetylene 791 kg 11 MWh 0.0034 t/kg 3 t 

DIRECT TOTAL 1,262 t 

TOTAL ZELTWEG LOCATION 19,509 MWh 1,771 t 

Feed into national grid 5,069 MW/h 5,069 MWh 0.544 t/MWh /ENTSO-E 2011*) 2,758 t 

Credit difference 986 t 

*Value extrapolated by voestalpine Weichensysteme on the basis of Entso-E-Mix 2011 and in line with the new 

VO electricity classification.


6000 

5000 

4000 

3000 

2000 

1000 

0 

CO2 balance trend in t/y 

No power plant 

2008 2008 2010/11 2010/112 011/12 2011/12 

CO2 energy feedback credits [t/a] 

Indirect CO2 emissions [t/a] 

Direct CO2 emissions [t/a] 

22

23 


Waste 

The following table lists the amounts of waste accumulated at the location during the 2011 financial year. 

Waste designation Key number Quantity (kg) 

Metallic filter dusts 31217* 3.915,00 

Acids, Acid mixes 52102* 14.00 

Other watery concentrates 52725* 92.00 

Scrap 35103 2,576,200.00 

Paper 18718 40,898.00 

Not contaminated wood 17201 83,600.00 

Cable waste 35314 1,805.00 

Large electrical devices, edge length 

longer than 50cm 35221 420.00 

Used oil 54102* 4,284.00 

Monitors 35212* 980.00 

Lead batteries 35322* 715.00 

Printing ink residues, copier toner 55509* 281.00 

Iron wrapping containers with dang. content 35106* 200.00 

Fluorescent lamps 35339* 190.00 

Unsorted batteries 35338* 25.00 

Other e-scrap 35201* 4,103.00 

Used electrical/small devices 35230* 850.00 

Refrigerators 35205* 434.00 

Lube and hydraulic oils 12601* 41.00 

Domestic refuse 91101 80,435.00 

Rubber 57501 20,420.00 

Solvent mix 55370* 294.00 

Oil-contaminated supplies 54930* 6,685.00 

Grinding disks 31444 4,000.00 

Used filter and suction mass 31434 155.00 

Non-oil contaminated air filters 54933 460.00 

Aliphatic amines 55352* 581.00 

Used paints and dyes 55502* 899.00 

Plastic containers with dangerous contents 57127* 20.00 

Pressurised gas containers, spray cans 59803* 829.00 

Developer baths 52723* 631.00 

Fixing baths 52707* 677.00 

Pasty resin residues solidified 55903* 457.00 

Contaminated wood 17213* 21,980.00 

Non-solidified glue and adhesives 55905* 495.00 

Laboratory waste/ chemical residues 59305* 1.00 

Pointed and sharp objects from the medical sector 97150 10.00 

Emulsionen 54402* 53,970.00 

Used oil containers 54929* 1,299.00 

TOTAL WITHOUT SCRAP 337,145.00 

TOTAL WITH SCRAP 2,913,345.00 

Key numbers in accordance with the current S 2100 standard 

* Hazardous waste according to S 2100 

In addition to the fractions listed in the table, organic waste (approx. 10,000 kg/y), white and coloured glass 

(approx. 1,700 kg/y), metal packaging (“blue bin”, approx. 500 kg/y) and plastic packaging (“yellow bin”, approx. 

9,000 kg/y) are collected separately by our workforce and subsequently transferred to material treatment. This is 

excluded in order to ensure better comparability with the statistics from previous years. As a result of the large 

percentages of metals and paper in our waste, the recycling share remains high at more than 90%. Scrap is 

largely transported to external recycling by the regional disposal companies, Trügler GmbH and Kuttin GmbH. 

Landfill 

0.14 % 

Recycling/material recovery 93.19 % Thermal utilisation 6.67 %

250 

200 

150 

100 

50 

0 


Waste development in t/year 

Residual waste 

and other non 

hazardous 

waste 

PaperO il-impregnated 

wood 

The volume of waste generated annually, and hence the waste trend, is highly dependent upon the order situation 

and is also influenced by special activities such as interior renovation, demolition work, cleaning, etc. 

Packaging 

The packaging that we deliver largely consists of non-impregnated wood (crates, boards, packing), metal strip 

and a small amount of plastic. Domestic deliveries are withdrawn via an ARA licensing agreement (no. 10527) 

and are intended for material and energy use. 

Use of plant area 

Oilcontaminated 

supplies 

Use of the plant area remained unchanged. The overwhelming majority of the plant is utilised for technical 

production purposes. Green spaces are found along the bank of the River Mur and the edges of the site. 

Surfaced areas (halls, asphalted areas) 73,650 m² 

Unsurfaced areas (gravelled and green spaces) 90,650 m² 

Total plant area 164,300 m² 

Used oil Emulsion Other hazardous 

waste 

2009 

2010/11 

2011/12 

24

25 


Accidents 

The following diagrams show the trend with regard to accidents at the voestalpine location in Zeltweg and are 

prepared on the basis of the following key figures, which also permit a branch comparison: 

Accident rate (accidents per 1000 employees) 

Accident frequency (accidents per 1 million working hours) 

Accident severity (time lost per accident in hours) 

In accordance with the regulations of the Austrian Safety Act and the statistical gathering criteria of the Austrian 

Allgemeinen Unfallversicherungsanstalt (AUVA – General Accident Insurance Fund) for so-called “notifiable 

occupational accidents”, these are accidents, which result in sick leave of more than three days (including the 

day of the accident). In addition, the following data always relates to all employees, but excluding accidents on 

the way to and from work. Please note that from the 2012 Environmental Statement onwards, statistics relate to 

all employees (= total of blue- and white-collar workers and apprentices). In earlier reports, the figures related 

exclusively to blue-collar workers. 

The data for leasing personnel is evaluated separately, however it is unsuitable as a statistical coefficient and 

would exceed the scope of this report. 

The accident statistics tend to be barely above the branch average. This is partially due to the fact that the 

turnout production area is characterised by relatively limited opportunities for automation (individual and in 

the best case repeated production with a very high percentage of customised special solutions) and thus the 

necessary manual production and transport phases naturally harbour an increased accident risk especially with 

regard to hand/arm injuries. 

Since the mid-1990s and an initial accident rate of approx. 120 per 1,000 employees, numerous technical and 

organisational measures have resulted in a continuous, marked reduction of around 50% with regard to both 

accident numbers and the cost of time lost. 

Special milestones in this connection included the “Reflections on Safety” campaign organised with the AUVA 

regional office in Graz and the long-term commitment shown by both the management and staff, which enabled 

the attainment of records such as a location accident rate of 41.7 in 2006 linked with an accident-free year in the 

HYTRONICS area and the longest accident-free period of 74 days. 

The current aim is to stabilise the accident rate and to get as close as possible to the current average accident 

rate in the branch. It is pleasing to report that in recent years we have continually reached this target, above all 

with regard to accident severity, or the comparative values have even been considerably undercut. 

As a holding company, voestalpine VAE GmbH has no production facilities and is very rarely affected by accidents 

(accident-free for the past ten years). 

Analyses have shown that only in exceptional cases are accidents caused by technical factors and that first and 

foremost, it is unsafe conduct (either conscious or unconscious) and a lack of concentration that prevent a better 

result. 

Accordingly, primarily organisational measures, that include the supply of information and training, as well as 

the visualisation of correct conduct, have been initiated in order to raise danger awareness levels. 

A special emphasis has been placed on the further training and advancement of our safety officers. 

The following diagrams show the trends regarding accident rates, frequency and seriousness at the Zeltweg 

location beginning in 1997. The initial significant successes in 2000 and from 2005 onwards are indicated 

separately for voestalpine Weichensysteme GmbH and voestalpine HYTRONICS GmbH (notifiable accidents of 

all employees excluding commuting accidents), as well as in relation to the average for the metallurgical industry 

in Austria (on the basis of AUVA source data).


voestalpine Weichensysteme GmbH (vaW), voestalpine HYTRONICS GmbH (vaH); 

140 

120 

100 

80 

60 

40 

20 

133 

68 

55 

113 

51 

92 

50 50 

42 

54 

43 

36 

0 

0 

9 

9 

1997 2000 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 FY 2012 

80 

70 

60 

50 

40 

30 

20 

10 

250 

200 

150 

100 

50 

Accident rate 

Accident frequency trend 

76 

40 

31 

54 

30 

43 

30 

25 

0 

25 

67 

31 

30 30 

22 

20 

52 

17 

24 

80 

54 

47 

52 

45 

68 

19 19 

16 16 

65 

52 

39 39 

0 


Accident severity 

94 

121 

95 96 

155 

118 

101 

146 

105 

227 

187 

0 

0 


119 

182 

88 

169 

199 

161 

56 

163 

135 

59 

14 

19 

134 

125 

112 

vaW 

vaH 

VAE E 

Metal ind. 

vaW 

vaH 

VAE E 

Metal ind. 

vaW 

vaH 

VAE E 

Metal ind. 

26

27 

He who hears butterflies laughing, 

knows the taste of clouds. 

(Novalis)


GENERAL INFORMATION 

Your discussion partner 

Questions and suggestion should be directed to Manfred Torschitz, our senior HSEE Department Manager 

(HSEE – Health, Safety, Environment & Energy strategies). 


Manfred Torschitz 

Alpine Straße 1 

8740 Zeltweg, Austria 

Tel.: +43/50304/28-350 

Fax: +43/50304/68-350 

manfred.torschitz@voestalpine.com 


Entry into the organisational roster and 

date of the next Environmental Statement 

This location disposes over an environmental management system in line with the EMAS Directive and is 

registered in the organisational roster (Register No. A-000060). The next Environmental Statement with reports 

concerning projects, facts and figures will be published in April 2014. In line with the EMAS III directive, the 

next consolidated Environmental Statement will be published in April 2015. 

Awards 

During recent years, our company has been honoured with numerous awards at European, national and 

provincial level for special achievements with regard to operational employee, environmental and climate 

protection: 

European Good Practice Award in Safety and Health at Work 2003 and 2010/11 

European EMAS Award 2009 

Energy Globe Austria Award and Energy Globe Styria Award 2010 

National Prize for Work Safety 2002, 2003, 2007 and 2009 

Austrian EMAS Award/EMAS Prize 1997, 2005, 2006 and 2009 

EMAS Prize for the best environment team 2009 

Environmental Protection Prize of the Federal Province of Styria 1997 and 2006 

28

29 


Key words - abbreviations 

Audit 

Regular, systematic examination of adherence to planned and established procedures. 

AUVA 

The Austrian General Accident Insurance Fund, which is not only involved with insurance matters, but is also highly committed to 

accident and occupational illness prevention though co-operation with companies and its own team of experts. 

BIA 

Berufsgenossenschaftliches Institut für Arbeitssicherheit. This organisation provided the classification of the filter media and 

systems in accordance with the maximum degree of removal or conduction (above all U,S,G, C - whereby C is the highest designation 

in this series with removal of > 99.9%). In the meantime, this classification has been replaced by the so-called dust classes according 

to EN 60335-2-69, whereby BIA „C“ corresponds with Class „M“ and the highest class „H“ with a separation level of over 99.995%. 

Chlorinated hydrocarbons and CFCs 

These halogenated hydrocarbons are employed as solvents and coolants, and contain either chlorine or fluorine (CFC). CFC‘s attack 

the ozone layer and like a large percentage of the chlorinated hydrocarbons, contribute to the greenhouse effect (these also include 

chlorofluorocarbons, which do not damage the ozone layer). 

CO 2 - carbon dioxide 

A colourless, non-inflammable gas, which constitutes 0.03% of the natural content of air. It results from the combustion of fossil fuels 

(oil, coal, natural gas), respiration and biological decomposition (e.g. landfills, composting plants). CO 2 is regarded as the main cause 

of the artificial warming of the atmosphere (greenhouse effect). 

EC Eco-audit directive - EMAS 

This is the term generally used for the EC Directive No. 1221/2009 (EMAS III Directive) passed by the European Parliament and 

the Council on November 25, 2009, concerning the voluntary participation of commercial companies in a common environmental 

management and an ecological examination of operations. This replaced the EMAS II directive 761/2001 from March 19, 2001 (EMAS 

stands for Environmental Management and Audit Scheme). The aim is the promotion of continual improvements in operational 

environmental protection through: 

Emissions/Immissions 

Emissions are solid, liquid and gaseous substances, as well as noise, vibrations, heat and radiation emitted during chemical, technical 

or biological processes into the environment and measured at the place of origin. Immissions constitute the effects of the emissions 

on people and the environment, measured at the point of impact 

ENTSO-E (European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity) 

The European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity was formed during the creation of a common electricity 

market and represents an organisational merger of various integrated networks. Such system operators guarantee the transmission 

of large quantities of electrical energy. 

ENTSO-E-MIX (UCTE-Mix) 

If no specific certificate of origin can be provided for a certain quantity of electricity, the monthly and yearly average electricity 

generation value is employed for data, e.g. kgCO 2 /kWh in the international European Network of Transmission System Operators for 

Electricity (ENTSO-E). In Austria and Central Europe up to 2009 this mix was designated as the UCTE mix. 

Environmental statement 

A source of information concerning the effects on the environment of the location in the form of an interface to the general public. 

VAEE also integrates health and work safety data into its Environmental Statements. 

Environmental (HSEE) targets and individual goals 

The corporate philosophy established by HSEE policy is determined in both a qualitative and, where possible, quantitative sense, 

by energy, safety and health objectives and time allocations. The individual targets describe the concrete measures required for the 

attainment of superordinated, basic goals. 

Environmental protection auditor(s) 

Government authorised person (groups of persons), who audit the company location and thereby facilitate participation in the EC 

Eco-Audit System. 

Fine dust 

The definition of fine dust varies according to the specialist area involved (environment, work safety) and national standards, which 

differ with regard to dust size classifications. Whatever the case, fine dust is the fraction that can only be captured to a certain extent 

by the mucous membranes in the nose and throat and the hairs in the nose, and thus enters the lung, which renders it of special 

relevance to health. A more precise definition is contained in the „Facts and Figures“ section, under the sub-section „Dust“. 

HSE (Health, Safety and Environment) 

HSE is an abbreviation for Health, Safety and Environment, which in view of the lack of a similar designation in the Germanspeaking 

region, has gained rapid international acceptance as a specialist term and is also employed within VAEE.


HSEE (Health, Safety, Environment and Energy) 

HSEE represents VAEE‘s deliberate extension of the classic term HSE to include the increasingly important topic of energy. 

HSEE- policy 

Declaration of company executive management with regard to its superordinated targets and principles for action regarding 

operational environmental protection (including the energy sector), which integrates health and work safety matters 

HSEE- programme 

A programme for the realisation of environmental protection targets, which in addition to concrete planned measures, also establishes 

responsibilities within the company and the provision of human and financial resources. 

Input/Output analysis 

An instrument for the systematic definition of all material flows to and from the defined system (e.g. location, process, etc.) under 

analysis. 

ISO 14001 

International counterpart to the EMAS Directive, which is valid in all European Union countries. The main difference to EMAS is 

that ISO 14001 does not require and environmental statement or a location list. 

Integrated Management System (IMS) 

Our Integrated Management System represents the interlocking and contradiction- free design of sequences taking into account all 

those involved and above all, quality, technology, finance and also safety and the environment. The orientation is directed primarily 

towards procedures (processes - e.g. in an investment who does what and when) and less towards departments, in order to avoid 

typical interface problems. 

Key accident figures 

There are numerous important key figures such as accident rates, frequency, severity, time lost, etc. See here the definitions in the 

Accident Statistics section. During the comparison and interpretation of key figures, it is important to note the reference size (e.g. if a 

statement refers to blue-collar workers or the entire workforce (includes white-collar workers and apprentices, etc.). In general, bluecollar 

workers are group most exposed to the danger of accidents and therefore their key figures are highly significant with regard to 

the monitoring of developments and possible intervention. Naturally, each company must define its own parameters. 

TLV 

The TLV (Threshold Limit Value) represents the maximum level of gaseous or dust-like substances permitted on health grounds in 

the workplace during a daily eight-hour working day. 

OHSAS 18001 

OHSAS is an abbreviation for Occupational Health and Safety Assessment Series. The OHSAS 18001 document regulates the 

main stipulations for efficient safety and health management and has become established as an important certificate, which is an 

equivalent to the ISO 1401 for environment management, or ISO 9001 for quality management. 

ÖSBS 

Abbreviation for the Austrian Dust and Silicosis Control Office, which is a special unit of the AUVA, and primarily undertakes 

technical dust measurements in the workplace and at emission points. Due to its special competence, the Institute enjoys an 

international reputation. 

Technical directives for preventive fire protection 

These directives primarily regulate the design of fire alarm systems, smoke and heat extractors, escape route lighting, fire protection 

plans, etc. and at VAEE form the basis for all related planning and projects. 

Validation 

A declaration of validity. When a company wishes to be registered within the framework of the EC Eco Audit Directive, its 

environmental declaration must be validated by an independent auditor. 

Verification 

Examination by an auditor to establish whether the planned specific company tasks relating to environmental protection have 

been fulfilled by the EMS and if the EMAS Regulation is being correctly implemented. This should not be confused with the term 

„Certification“, which is only permissible in relation to standardised systems. 

VOC (volatile organic compounds) 

VOC‘s can be contained in paints and adhesives as a solvent. They can also be contained in impregnation oil (particularly the WIE 

Types A and B). In addition, they represent an alternative to chlorinated degreasing agents and and as a propellant gas in spray cans. 

They are a precursor of summer smog (ground level ozone). 

30

31 


Validation and certificates 

The information contained in this environmental statement 

was audited by the environmental auditing organisation, 

“Lloyd’s Register Quality Assurance (LRQA)”, Opernring 

1/E/620, A-1010 Vienna, represented by Mr. Harald Ketzer 

(Tel.: +43-1-581-18-74-0 bzw. Fax: +43-1-581-18-74/5; 

e-mail:harald.ketzer@lr.org) and found to correspond with 

the EMAS III directive. 

Imprint 

Publisher: voestalpine Weichensysteme GmbH, Zeltweg 

Graphic design: Marina Neumeier, voestalpine VAE GmbH, Vienna 

Copyright: voestalpine Weichensysteme GmbH, Zeltweg 

Printed in Austria on chlorine-free bleached paper 

Aerial photos: Markus Zinner, 8740 Zeltweg 

Image photos: artige Bilder, Hannes Loske, Graz


32


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Environmental Statement 2012 (3.25 MB) - voestalpine

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