Occupational health and safety in Germany: laws and regulations

Occupational health and safety concerns us all. Whether you're sitting in an office, working on a machine or on a construction site, safety in the workplace is crucial. In Germany, there are clear legal regulations that apply to every job. But what exactly does this mean for you? What rights do you have and what obligations does your employer have? In this article, you will get an overview of the most important rules and find out how you can protect yourself.

Occupational health and safety in Germany - the legal basis

Occupational health and safety is enshrined in several laws, first and foremost the Occupational Health and Safety Act (ArbSchG). It obliges employers to make workplaces safe and keep hazards as low as possible.

A key element is the risk assessment (Sections 5 and 6 ArbSchG). Your employer must regularly check what risks there are in your job - be it from heavy machinery, hazardous substances or mental stress. Based on this, they must take measures to ensure your safety. Other important regulations include the Workplace Ordinance (ArbStättV), which stipulates how a workplace must be designed, and the regulations of the German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV), which contain industry-specific rules.

Employer obligations to ensure occupational health and safety

Your employer is primarily responsible for your safety. They must ensure that your workplace is safe and provide you with the necessary protective clothing and training. This includes:

Your employer is obliged to ensure your safety in the workplace. This includes regular training so that you recognize hazards and know how to avoid them. They must also provide you with protective equipment such as helmets, gloves and safety goggles - and bear the costs for this.

Safety precautions on machines and ergonomic workstations are necessary to prevent accidents. In addition, all accidents and near-accidents must be documented in order to learn from them and minimize future risks,but you also have a responsibility! You must adhere to the safety regulations and actually use the protective equipment provided. If your employer fails to meet their obligations, a specialist employment lawyer can help you.

Five important rules of occupational safety

Every workplace is different, but a few basic rules apply everywhere:

1. If you see danger, stop work! Your safety comes first. Report unsafe situations immediately.
2. No work without instruction! Anyone who does not know how a machine works should not operate it.
3. Protective equipment is not a luxury, but a duty! If a helmet or hearing protection is mandatory, then there is a good reason for it.
4. Safety is everyone's business! Your employer must set rules, but you must also comply with them.
5. The employer pays for protective equipment! If your boss asks you to buy your own protective clothing, better ask again.

Occupational health and safety depending on the job - what applies to you?

Not every job has the same risks. In the office, back pain caused by sitting incorrectly is the biggest problem, while in production there are completely different risks. Here are a few examples: Depending on the job, there are different health and safety measures that you should observe. In the office, an ergonomic chair is important, regular breaks and some exercise in between help to avoid tension.In production and the trades, you should wear protective clothing, use hearing protection if necessary and make sure that machines are in a safe condition.

Helmets are compulsory in construction and assembly, and if you are working at height, there must be appropriate safety equipment. In healthcare, hygiene is paramount - protective clothing and gloves are essential to avoid infection. In logistics and transportation, it is important to lift heavy loads correctly, wear safety vests and take enough breaks to avoid accidents. If you ignore the health and safety rules, you are taking a high risk - and that can quickly become dangerous.

If you do not adhere to health and safety rules, you risk accidents or damage to your health. If you need a sick bill for health reasons, you can find out how to hand in your sick bill here.

Occupational safety is essential

Occupational health and safety not only protects employees, but also employers from high costs due to accidents or penalties. Different professions have specific regulations, but basic safety rules apply to all.

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