Workplace Safety

According to Anette Wahl-Wachendorf, Vice President of the Association of German Company Doctors, it has been proven that fewer accidents occur in companies that are supported by a company doctor and that occupational illnesses occur less frequently.

When it comes to healthy working, the focus is not only on the correct design of the workplace, but also very importantly on the issue of occupational safety.

After all, the most attractive and ergonomic workplace is useless if safety is not guaranteed.

The aim of occupational safety is to minimize the risk of accidents for employees. Every employee must therefore be made aware of potential hazards in the workplace.

In principle, all work equipment must be checked for health hazards. This applies to machines and working materials as well as office equipment.

Especially in the commercial sector, such protective measures are very important to prevent accidents. This includes the provision and wearing of protective clothing as well as precise instruction on the operation of equipment and machines and possible hazards.

The following points ensure safety in the workplace:

The risk assessment is regulated in §5 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and DGUV Regulation 1. It is an important prerequisite for safety in the workplace. Only if a risk assessment has been carried out in accordance with the regulations will employees know how they should behave at the workplace, when which type of protective clothing must be worn and which tasks require caution due to health risks.

Instruction in this is the employer's duty and takes place during working hours. New instruction is required when changing jobs. An instruction sheet serves as documentation and is confirmed by the employee's signature.

First aid must be guaranteed in an emergency, which is why every company must have trained first aiders who know what to do in an emergency. The number of first aiders in the company is regulated in §26 DGUV Regulation 1.

The occupational safety specialist ensures compliance with all safety requirements in the company. They are specially trained by the employer. The requirements and scope of their work are set out in DGUV Regulation 2 .
It is supported by the safety officer, an honorary, advisory function.

The role of the company doctor is regulated in §3 of the German Occupational Health and Safety Act, DGUV Regulation 2 and in the regulations of the employers' liability insurance associations. It has the task and duty to support the employer in occupational safety and accident prevention in all matters relating to health protection.

Many employees work from home. How is occupational safety regulated there?

A teleworking workplace is defined in the Workplace Ordinance and is permanently set up by the employer. The home office has not yet been legally defined. Nonetheless, companies must comply with their duty to protect, through the German Occupational Health and Safety Act and the German Occupational Safety and Health Act. The DGUV, together with the employers' liability insurance associations and accident insurance funds, has published tips for the optimal home office, which we have summarized in our blog article Healthy at work.

IMPORTANT: It is not only the employer who is responsible for safety and protection in the workplace, but of course every employee too - for themselves and for their colleagues.

Interested in finding out more? Then stay tuned!

Please note that all pages in the hyperlinks are in German.