Doctors, Education and Community Service

Assuming social responsibility means something completely different for BASF today than in the first decades of its existence. Nevertheless, then and now it succeeds in finding solutions for the social challenges of the time.

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Company Benefits at a Glance

A Chronology

For the Well-being of Employees

Working with chemicals is often a health hazard in the 19^th century. Therefore, in 1866, only a year after its founding, BASF hires a factory physician – the very first in the chemical industry. In 1903/1904, BASF sets up a new outpatient clinic equipped with state-of-the-art medical technology.

Would You Prefer a Glass Eye or Safety Goggles?

This provocative question draws employees’ attention to the topic of occupational safety in 1931. In addition to technical protection devices, raising awareness about risks of accidents has increased since the 1920s to prevent accidents in the workplace. For this reason, BASF appoints its first safety engineer in 1929. In addition to analyzing the cause of accidents, one of his main tasks is educating employees about possible accident risks.

The Shady Side of Chemistry

Chemical production comes with risks. Serious accidents are also part of BASF’s history. On September 21, 1921 a silo filled with ammonium sulfate nitrate explodes at the Oppau plant. 561 people are killed, nearly two thousand are injured. In the summer of 1948, a tank car filled with gas explodes. 207 people die and another 3,818 are injured. Security standards are tightened in response to these accidents.

BASF Standort Tarragona, Spanien. Mitarbeiter vor der Novolen-III-Anlage am Standort Tarragona. Abdruck honorarfrei. Copyright by BASF.

BASF Stte Tarragona, Spain. NOVOLEN III plant employees at the Tarragona site. Print free of charge. Copyright by BASF., BASF Standort Tarragona, Spanien. Mitarbeiter vor der Novolen-III-Anlage am Standort Tarragona. Abdruck honorarfrei. Copyright by BASF.

BASF Stte Tarragona, Spain. NOVOLEN III plant employees at the Tarragona site. Print free of charge. Copyright by BASF.

Dialog at Eye Level

In 1989, BASF establishes the first Community Advisory Panels (CAP) in the U.S. – a model of success that has since been copied often at numerous company sites. In 1994, the first platform for the civil dialog in the local community outside the U.S. is established in Altamira, Mexico, in 1994. In 1995, the production site in Tarragona, Spain, becomes the first European site to opens a CAP. Ludwigshafen follows in 2000. In 2002, BASF is the first chemical company in South Korea to start a Community Advisory Panel at its site in Yeosu.

Food for Thought

BASF is aware of its social responsibility and expresses this in numerous projects for the promotion of education and culture. A factory library in Ludwigshafen, Germany, opens its doors in 1900. It has been conceptualized as a learning center focusing on further education in 2005. Pupils and students are also addressed. In 1949, BASF conducts an international summer course for chemistry students for the first time. To further promote pupils’ interest in natural sciences, BASF establishes its first school laboratory in 1997.

Housing and Physical Well-Being

The first benefits of BASF are established to improve the livelihood of its workers. Given the dramatic housing situation, the initiation of company housing started by BASF in 1872 means a welcome alleviation for many of its workers. In 1884, BASF establishes its first works canteen which marks the origin of today's on-site canteens – and offers a warm meal to the workers.

BASF Fire Department

Rescue, recovery, extinguishing fires, protection – these have been the tasks of the BASF Fire Department at the Ludwigshafen site since 1913. In the following decades, they become a special unit which today not only works in Ludwigshafen, but also provides advice and support with its expert knowledge far beyond factory premises.

BASF’s social responsibility is initially confined to its employees. To counter the health hazards of working with chemicals in the 19^th century, it already employs a physician at the plant in 1866 – the first factory physician in the history of chemical industry. Another pioneering achievement is the construction of the first European company-owned sanatorium for lung disease in the Palatine Dannenfels in 1892. In addition to promoting good health, it becomes committed early on to providing insurance for its employees through illness and old age. For this, it establishes pension (1871) and health insurance (1875) programs before insurance coverage becomes a legal requirement in Germany. Other benefits such as paid vacation (1908) and operational co-determination result from labor disputes. In the picture on the right: The “father” of social policy at BASF, Heinrich Brunck (1847–1911).

After improving working conditions and general living conditions for its employees, BASF expands its social commitment beyond its factory gates. It begins by hosting cultural events which, since the first symphony concert in 1921, have been organized not only for employees, but also for other culture enthusiasts. Today it supports children and young people around the world with educational projects. School laboratories are one example. The first one is set up in 1997 in Ludwigshafen. BASF now maintains school laboratories at locations in more than 30 countries.