Occupational safety in Germany

Legal basis of occupational safety

Regulatory and compliance in the area of occupational safety is based on a solid foundation of legal requirements. Three key laws are authoritative in this regard: the Occupational Health and Safety Act (ArbSchG), the Social Code SGB VII "Statutory Accident Insurance" and the Act on Company Doctors, Safety Engineers and Other Occupational Safety Specialists (ASiG).

The Occupational Health and Safety Act (ArbSchG) sets out the basic objectives and scope of application. It defines the obligations for both employers and employees and focuses on conducting a risk assessment and implementing appropriate measures to minimize hazards.

The Social Code SGB VII regulates statutory accident insurance. This defines the responsibilities and tasks of the accident insurance institutions. SGB VII provides insurance cover in the event of accidents at work and occupational diseases. It also places great emphasis on prevention and rehabilitation within the framework of statutory accident insurance.

The Occupational Physicians, Safety Engineers and Other Specialists for Occupational Safety Act (ASiG) deals with the appointment and duties of these specialists. It regulates their cooperation with employers and employees and sets qualification and training standards for these specialized professionals.

To help companies comply with these legal requirements in the field of occupational safety, Regul.Ai offers a comprehensive collection of legal documents. With this compilation, companies can more easily understand and implement relevant laws and regulations. Regul.Ai enables managers to access these documents and thus manage the legal foundations of occupational safety more efficiently.

The 20 most important laws for occupational safety:

• Occupational Safety Act (ArbSchG)
• Social Code VII (SGB VII) - Statutory Accident Insurance
• Law on company physicians, safety engineers and other specialists for occupational safety (ASiG)
• Occupational Safety Act (ASiG)
• Ordinance on Hazardous Substances (GefStoffV)
• Industrial safety ordinance (BetrSichV)
• Working Hours Act (ArbZG)
• Maternity Protection Act (MuSchG)
• Youth Employment Protection Act (JArbSchG)
• Load Handling Ordinance (LasthandhabV)
• Noise and Vibration Occupational Health and Safety Ordinance (LärmVibrationsArbSchV)
• Display Screen Equipment Ordinance (BildscharbV)
• PPE Use Ordinance (PSA-BV)
• Biological Substances Ordinance (BioStoffV)
• Workplace Ordinance (ArbStättV)
• Construction Site Ordinance (BaustellV)
• Electrical Safety Act (ESG)
• Compressed Air Ordinance (DruckLV)
• Radiation Protection Ordinance (StrlSchV)
• Ordinance on occupational medical precautions (ArbMedVV)

These laws are all included in the legal cadastre for occupational safety. This legal cadastre can be extended with documents as desired. With Regul.Ai you have access to over 10,000 documents worldwide, but you can easily add your own documents to your own legal cadastre.

Occupational safety monitoring

Compliance with regulations and compliance in the area of occupational safety is monitored by state institutions and accident insurance providers. Trade supervisory offices and occupational health and safety offices play a central role here. These institutions are responsible for monitoring compliance with occupational safety regulations and initiating action where necessary.

In addition to the state supervisory authorities, the statutory accident insurance institutions, such as employers' liability insurance associations and accident insurance funds, monitor occupational safety in companies. These institutions are responsible for providing insurance cover in the event of occupational accidents and diseases, but also for promoting preventive measures.

To ensure uniform and binding implementation of occupational safety standards, the accident insurance institutions issue accident prevention regulations. These regulations constitute binding law and must be observed by companies. They set out specific requirements to prevent occupational accidents and protect the health of employees.

As part of its support for regulatory and compliance in the area of occupational safety, Regul.Ai offers companies a comprehensive solution. By providing relevant information and legal documents, Regul.Ai enables companies to stay current with applicable accident prevention regulations. This enables companies to meet the monitoring requirements of trade supervisory authorities, occupational health and safety offices, and accident insurance institutions, and to design their occupational safety measures effectively.

Prevention and holistic occupational safety

The approach to occupational safety has evolved in recent years, moving away from pure accident prevention to comprehensive prevention. This holistic approach not only takes into account the technical aspects of occupational safety, but also places a strong focus on psychological factors that influence working conditions and the well-being of employees.

The consideration of psychological factors in occupational safety is becoming increasingly important. This involves analyzing and optimizing work organization, work tasks and interpersonal relationships in the workplace. A healthy and safe work environment is not only free of physical hazards, but also takes into account psychological strain and the effects of stress factors on workers.

An essential element of occupational safety is instruction. Pursuant to Section 12 (1) of the Occupational Physicians, Safety Engineers and Other Specialists for Occupational Safety Act (ASiG), employees must receive sufficient and appropriate instruction during working hours. The purpose of these instructions is to inform employees about potential hazards and risks in the workplace and to enable them to take appropriate protective measures. The manner and scope of the instructions must be appropriate to the existing hazard situation and the qualifications of the employees.

Linkage with ergonomics and health protection

Occupational safety is closely linked to the requirements of ergonomics and humane work design as well as health protection. A holistic approach to occupational safety takes these aspects into account and aims to design working conditions in such a way that they support both the physical and mental health of employees.

Ergonomics and human-centered work design play a central role in occupational safety. The aim is to design workplaces and work processes in such a way that they meet the needs and capabilities of employees. This includes, for example, the ergonomic design of work stations, the adaptation of work equipment to individual requirements and the consideration of movement sequences and stresses. By integrating ergonomic principles, employees' long-term health can be maintained and their performance enhanced.

Health protection is another important component of occupational safety. It includes measures to prevent work-related illnesses and promote the general well-being of employees. This includes, for example, protection against noise, pollutants, dust or other sources of danger that can lead to damage to health. By integrating health protection into occupational safety, a comprehensive safety culture is created that takes into account both physical and psychological aspects of health.

A systems-oriented approach to occupational health and safety strives to link occupational health and safety, quality management and environmental protection into an integrated management system. This approach enables efficient coordination and control of the various aspects of the company and promotes continuous improvement in all areas. By linking the various management systems, synergies are created and resources are optimally utilized.