Driving Trust and Innovation: How Refresco’s Safety Lead in Germany Balances AI and People-First Safety
At our recent Benchmark Gensuite Customer Impact Conference in Europe, we spoke with Dominic Hammel, Team Lead Safety BU Germany at Refresco, about leading safety across 10 sites under strict legal and privacy standards.
Dominic shared how his team navigated compliance challenges, strengthened data trust, and explored how AI can support people-first safety — without replacing the human element.
Key Takeaways
- Dominic Hammel leads safety across 10 sites in Germany, supporting seven EHS managers.
- Implementing Benchmark Gensuite required close collaboration with legal, worker council, and data experts to meet strict German privacy requirements.
- Refresco Germany achieved a unified, compliant reporting system that centralises safety data across all sites.
- Dominic views AI as a supportive tool that enhances efficiency while keeping people at the center of safety.
- Refresco is building a future where one system, one team, and smarter tools drive safer workplaces.
You’ve been with Refresco for nearly a decade. How has your role evolved, and what does leading the safety team in Germany involve?
Dominic: I’ve been with Refresco for 10 years, and for the past two years, I’ve worked closely with Remy Wierenga, our Safety Director. I lead the safety team in Germany, supporting seven EHS managers across 10 sites.
My role is to guide and consult them as we transition into Benchmark Gensuite. Change can be challenging when people are used to another system, so I make sure they always have someone to talk to as we adopt new tools.
What have been some of the biggest challenges in implementing Benchmark Gensuite across your sites in Germany?
Dominic: One of the toughest areas is compliance with German legislation, especially around first aid case reporting. We had to ensure that Benchmark Gensuite met strict legal and data privacy requirements.
I worked closely with our legal team, worker council, and data experts to review every detail. It took a lot of discussions, but we found a way to make it work.
Germany is one of the hardest environments when it comes to privacy and reporting — but in the end, it’s worth it. We now have one system where everything is in one place, and that’s exactly how it should be.
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AI was a key theme at this year’s conference. How do you see its role in shaping the future of EHS?
Dominic: I think AI is one of the biggest opportunities we have to improve efficiency. Some people see it as a threat, but it’s not. AI won’t replace us, it supports us. It saves time and helps us focus on what really matters.
My advice to other safety leaders is simple: don’t hesitate. Try it. Stay open-minded. You might not realise how impactful AI can be until you start using it in your daily work. It’s not about taking over, it’s about helping us make better decisions and spend more time on what truly counts.
Want to explore more Benchmark Gensuite AI? Take a look at our new Genny AI Agents and learn how they’re driving smarter, more effective EHS management.
About Refresco
Refresco is the world’s largest independent bottler, serving leading retailers and brands across Europe and North America. With a focus on safety, efficiency, and innovation, Refresco partners with Benchmark Gensuite to standardise and strengthen EHS operations globally.
About Benchmark Gensuite
Benchmark Gensuite offers best-practice digital EHS & ESG software solutions trusted by over 3 million users worldwide. The platform enables organisations to streamline safety, compliance, and sustainability management through AI innovation and user-driven design.
