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Returning to working life
Behind every company’s success are the people who make it happen. At thyssenkrupp, protecting the health and safety of our employees has a long tradition. But despite all safety precautions, accidents cannot always be avoided. Florian’s story underlines how crucial it is to stand by affected employees and how targeted support can help them return to working life.
After the industrial accident - a long road to recovery
Before his accident, Florian worked in rotating shifts in maintenance directly at the hot strip mill. During a repair and machine inspection, he was crushed between a wall and a moving slab ferry – a moment that changed his life forever. The consequences of the accident were devastating: shattered bones in his right arm, torn muscles and nerves, and serious injuries to his pelvis, ribs, and spine. Multiple surgeries, including nerve and skin transplants, marked the start of a long and challenging recovery process.
Today, Florian has found his place in the Maintenance and Repair team. “I now work in planning and preparation,” he explains. In his new role, he prepares shutdowns and ensures that all necessary resources are available for order processing. “Although my role has changed, I still work in the same area and focus on problem-solving and protective measures for the plant, currently in the field of water protection,” Florian says. His practical experience is particularly valuable: “From time to time, I’m still out in the plant to check things or carry out commissioning work.”
The challenges of rehabilitation
For Florian, rehabilitation was not only physically demanding but also mentally challenging. Everyday tasks that had once been second nature had to be relearned step by step. “The beginning was especially difficult for me,” Florian recalls. “From walking and getting dressed to writing, I had to learn everything all over again.”
The rehabilitation process was also characterized by different stages of progress: “At the beginning, I was still making major advances, such as learning to walk again. Later, the improvements became smaller, such as fastening screws of different sizes.” One of the biggest challenges was having the necessary patience: “It wasn’t always easy to accept that healing takes time. The period shortly after the accident was particularly challenging, when I still couldn’t do very much on my own.”
What helped him in particular during this difficult phase? “Knowing that I had a secure job made a lot of things easier for me,” says Florian. He met many patients during rehab who weren’t as fortunate – a reminder that job security can’t be taken for granted.
Back at work – The reintegration process
Before Florian could return to his everyday working life, he had to overcome an important milestone in his recovery process: returning to the scene of the accident. This confrontation posed a particular emotional challenge. “Even though I didn't see exact spot at first, just being back where it happened felt strange,” says Florian. With the professional support of a psychotherapist, he also managed to overcome this hurdle.
The employer also plays a key role in reintegration after an accident at work. “Fortunately, I received a lot of support,” he says of his experience. thyssenkrupp Steel ensured his return was tailored to his needs. “In addition to providing the necessary work equipment and suitable premises, particular emphasis was placed on flexible working conditions,” says Florian.
In the early phase, when he couldn’t drive, thyssenkrupp gave him flexible working hours and the option to work from home. “This flexibility was essential when it came to coordinating my many medical appointments and therapy sessions,” says Florian. After all, it provided the framework conditions that optimally supported his recovery. “These options still exist today,” emphasizes Florian.
Looking back, Florian is grateful for how the transition went: “All in all, I think I handled that time pretty well.”
Looking ahead - Florian's goals for the future
Following his successful reintegration, thyssenkrupp Steel is now supporting Florian in his professional growth. He is taking part in appropriate training courses and is being supported in his part-time studies of electrical engineering and information technology as part of the Young Potential program. “My main goal right now is to complete my degree, even if it takes a few more years before I graduate,” says Florian, looking forward with determination.