Basic occupational safety support is a legally prescribed concept that supports companies in creating safe and healthy working conditions. It refers to the basic safety and occupational health care of companies in accordance with DGUV Regulation 2 ("Company physicians and occupational safety specialists").
It includes preventative measures as well as regular training and advice on compliance with safety standards. This article explains exactly what basic occupational safety support means, how it is organized and what benefits it offers your company.
The most important facts at a glance
✓ Basic occupational safety supervision is essential for compliance with occupational safety laws and improves working conditions for employees.
✓ When calculating the deployment times for basic support, the company size, type of operation and specific risks are taken into account in order to implement effective safety measures.
✓ Cooperation with external service providers enables access to specialized expertise and significantly improves the quality of occupational safety measures.
✓ In accordance with DGUV Regulation 2, companies with up to 50 employees also have the option of needs-based alternative supervision as an alternative to regular supervision. This requires special training for the employer.
The importance of basic supervision in occupational health and safety
Basic supervision is an essential part of occupational health and safety and plays a decisive role in carrying out the risk assessment in accordance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
Another important aspect of basic support is advising employers on occupational health and safety. This advice includes the implementation of safety measures as well as the continuous monitoring and improvement of working conditions. By providing basic support, employers can ensure that their companies comply with current legal requirements.
In today's world, where occupational safety is becoming increasingly complex, basic supervision is an indispensable tool. It enables companies to act proactively and to identify and minimize potential risks at an early stage. This not only leads to a safer working environment, but also to greater employee satisfaction and motivation.
Basic care is therefore not only a legal obligation, but also a strategic advantage for companies that want to protect their employees and increase their productivity and efficiency at the same time.
Tasks of basic support
Basic supervision covers a wide range of tasks aimed at ensuring the safety and health of employees. The basic tasks of basic safety and occupational health care include preventive measures and advice, which are mandatory for all companies - regardless of sector or size.
Basic support includes general, inter-company advice for employers in order to systematically plan, implement and permanently ensure basic protective measures.
A central component of basic support is assistance in creating a suitable organization for occupational health and safety. This includes the
- Preparation of a risk assessment,
- the implementation of safety training and
- the creation of documentation to fulfill reporting obligations.
By implementing these measures, employers can ensure that their companies comply with current safety standards.
Risk assessment as a central task
The risk assessment enables employers to identify potential hazards at an early stage and define measures to prevent them.
Support with the creation of
As part of basic support, company doctors and occupational safety specialists offer employers valuable support in the preparation and implementation of risk assessments by contributing their specialist knowledge and experience.
In a risk assessment, all work areas are systematically examined for potential hazards. Suitable protective measures are then defined to ensure the health and safety of employees. The effectiveness of these measures is regularly reviewed and adjusted if necessary.
Employees must be actively involved in the preparation and updating of the risk assessment (Section 6 ArbSchG). This also applies in particular to mental stress and ergonomic aspects.
The risk assessment is always adapted when relevant changes occur in the company. Typical occasions are
- Changes to work equipment, working materials or processes
- Accidents, near-accidents or new findings on hazards (also in connection with security hazards that have an impact on occupational health and safety)
- Changes in legal regulations
- Organizational changes (e.g. new working hours, restructuring)
- Introduction of new activities or jobs
- Results from effectiveness checks or instructions
AI risks as part of the risk assessment
- The use of AI systems requires an assessment of data protection, ethical and security risks as part of the risk assessment.
- New threat scenarios such as AI-supported cyberattacks should also be taken into account, especially in connection with critical infrastructures or personal data.
- Automated work processes and AI-controlled systems are fundamentally changing human-machine interaction, and protective measures and training concepts need to be adapted accordingly.
- Ethical and compliance-related issues should also be considered in the risk assessment, especially when AI makes personal decisions.
Creation of a suitable occupational health and safety organization and integration into management activities
Occupational health and safety should be seen as an objective by the company management and be given the same focus as other corporate objectives. Effective integration of occupational health and safety into the company organization is crucial in order to create clear responsibilities and an effective structure.
The organizational structure for occupational health and safety describes the structure, competencies and responsibilities in the company with regard to health and safety. It is a central component of occupational health and safety management. It clearly defines who in the company has which tasks and duties in the area of health and safety - this creates transparency, legal certainty and a functioning health and safety structure. An occupational safety committee (ASA) is a central element of the organizational structure and must be set up in companies with more than 20 employees. By implementing an ASA, companies can ensure that safety issues are dealt with systematically and effectively.
Supplemented by company-specific support
Company-specific supervision supplements the basic supervision required by law by addressing individual hazards and special operational features. It is planned on the basis of the specific activities, working conditions and risk factors in the company. This allows targeted, tailor-made measures to be developed and implemented to protect employees - e.g. in the case of special machinery, hazardous substances or complex work processes.
Calculate operating times for basic support
The annual deployment time for basic supervision is calculated by multiplying the number of employees by the prescribed deployment time for the respective supervision group. DGUV Regulation 2 distinguishes between three supervision groups, depending on the risk potential of the company. As the number of employees increases and the degree of risk increases, the amount of time required for supervision also increases.
A working time calculator can be used for precise calculation. This helps companies to determine the times required for basic care based on specific input data. By calculating the working hours, employers can ensure that they provide sufficient resources for the health and safety of their employees. This is an important step in meeting legal requirements and creating a safe working environment.
Companies should keep a constant eye on the number of employees with regard to basic support. In the event of significant changes in the company, such as an increase in employment, the deployment times must also be regularly reviewed and adjusted. This ensures that companies are always up to date and can adapt their safety measures accordingly.
Cooperation with external service providers
External occupational health and safety service providers (e.g. occupational safety specialists) can improve the efficiency of basic support by contributing specialized expertise and resources. Cooperation with external service providers enables companies to integrate specialized expertise into occupational health and safety. This leads to a higher quality of safety measures and better compliance with legal requirements.
When selecting an occupational health and safety service provider, attention should be paid to their experience and specific qualifications. A key selection criterion for occupational health and safety service providers is their experience in the specific sectors. General expertise and flexibility in the provision of services should also be taken into account. This ensures that companies benefit from the best available expertise and can adapt their safety measures accordingly.
Some external providers offer a comprehensive range of consulting services to promote the health and safety of employees. This includes not only the identification of risks and the implementation of safety measures, but also strategic planning to improve working conditions. By using holistic consulting services, companies can ensure that they cover all aspects of occupational health and safety and create a safe and healthy working environment for their employees.
In such holistic approaches, not only classic occupational health and safety topics are taken into account, but also adjacent security areas such as property protection, IT security, environmental risks or reputation protection in order to systematically record interactions and overarching risks.
Conclusion
Basic occupational health and safety supervision is a central component of any corporate responsibility that focuses on the safety and health of employees. By complying with legal requirements, calculating working hours and implementing specific care measures, companies can create a safe and productive working environment.
Cooperation with external service providers and the use of holistic consulting services offer additional benefits and ensure that companies are always up to date. Failure to comply with the legally prescribed basic supervision can be punished as an administrative offense in accordance with Section 9 ArbSchG or Section 20 DGUV Regulation 2. Ultimately, well-organized basic supervision leads to higher employee satisfaction, lower accident rates and increased productivity.
Frequently asked questions
What is basic occupational health and safety support?
Basic occupational health and safety support includes fundamental measures to ensure health and safety in the company.
It includes standardized tasks and consultations by specialists that must be carried out regardless of the type of company.
How are the working hours for basic care calculated?
The operating times for basic supervision are calculated on the basis of the type of business, the number of employees and their working hours. A working time calculator in accordance with DGUV Regulation 2 is generally used to determine the required supervision time realistically and in compliance with the law.
What are the benefits of comprehensive basic support for employers?
Comprehensive basic care helps employers to promote the long-term health, motivation and productivity of their employees and significantly reduce the risk of accidents and absences. At the same time, it supports the efficient and legally compliant implementation of legal requirements.
How can external service providers improve basic support?
External occupational health and safety service providers can improve basic support by making their specialized expertise and resources available, which increases efficiency and ensures compliance with legal requirements.
What does specific support in occupational health and safety involve?
Specific occupational health and safety support includes the development of customized safety measures that are tailored to the individual risk situations and needs of a company. This complements the basic support.
