Who supports the state in occupational health and safety? In Germany, the following players are key partners of the state in occupational health and safety:
- Accident insurance carrier
- Professional associations
- Trade unions
- Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA)
- Occupational health and safety authorities of the federal states
- Chambers of Crafts
- Chambers of Industry and Commerce (IHKs)
- Employer
- Occupational safety specialists (e.g. company doctors and occupational safety specialists)
These actors work closely with government authorities to ensure a safe working environment. Find out more about their roles and responsibilities in this article.
The most important facts in brief
✓ Occupational safety in Germany is supported by numerous partners, including employers' liability insurance associations, trade unions, employers, state authorities and specialists such as occupational safety experts.
✓ Employers' liability insurance associations develop binding accident prevention regulations and support companies with training and prevention measures. Employers are obliged to implement these regulations.
✓ Occupational safety specialists and company doctors advise employers on the analysis of hazards and the development of protective measures. Their expertise helps to design preventative strategies and improve working conditions.
All players at a glance
Accident insurance provider: The DGUV promotes occupational health and safety by providing advice and preventive measures as well as cover for accidents at work and occupational illnesses.
Employers' liability insurance associations: The employers' liability insurance associations are key players in the German occupational health and safety system, responsible for statutory accident insurance and the definition of occupational health and safety regulations.
Trade unions: Trade unions represent the interests of employees and are committed to improving working conditions and occupational safety standards.
Employers: Employers are responsible for the health and safety of their employees and must take appropriate measures to ensure occupational health and safety.
Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA): The BAuA is a research institute that develops scientific findings on occupational safety and provides practical recommendations for safe working conditions.
Occupational health and safety authorities of the federal states: The occupational health and safety authorities of the federal states monitor compliance with occupational health and safety regulations and carry out inspections in companies to ensure workplace safety.
Chambers of Crafts: The chambers of skilled crafts support the skilled crafts sector in occupational health and safety issues, offer advisory services and training and are committed to improving safety standards in skilled crafts businesses.
Chambers of Industry and Commerce (IHKs): The IHKs offer advice and further training on occupational health and safety topics and promote compliance with safety standards in the commercial sector.
Occupational health and safety specialists (e.g. company doctors and occupational safety specialists): Occupational safety specialists support companies in the implementation of occupational safety measures and contribute to health care and accident prevention in the workplace.
The role of the employers' liability insurance associations
The employers' liability insurance associations play a key role in Germany's dual occupational health and safety system. As the statutory accident insurance institutions, they are responsible for protecting employees in the event of accidents at work and occupational illnesses. In addition, they develop binding accident prevention regulations that make a significant contribution to improving occupational health and safety in companies and minimizing risks.
These employers' liability insurance associations cover various sectors of the economy and are each responsible for occupational safety and accident insurance in their respective industries. There are nine employers' liability insurance associations in Germany:
- Employer's Liability Insurance Association of the Construction Industry (BG BAU)
- Employer's Liability Insurance Association for Energy, Textiles, Electrical and Media Products (BG ETEM)
- Employer's Liability Insurance Association for Trade and Goods Logistics (BGHW)
- Employer's Liability Insurance Association for Wood and Metal (BGHM)
- Employer's Liability Insurance Association for the Food and Hospitality Industry (BGN)
- Employer's Liability Insurance Association for Health and Welfare (BGW)
- Employers' Liability Insurance Association (VBG)
- Berufsgenossenschaft Verkehrswirtschaft Post-Logistik Telekommunikation (BG Verkehr)
- Social Insurance for Agriculture, Forestry and Horticulture (SVLFG)
However, the employers' liability insurance associations do not act in isolation. They work closely with state institutions, employers, trade unions and other occupational health and safety stakeholders. This cooperative partnership is crucial in order to develop and implement comprehensive and practical occupational health and safety measures. Their common goal is to effectively prevent accidents at work and health hazards and to promote the safety and well-being of employees.
Prevention and accident prevention
Prevention is the foundation of effective occupational health and safety. The focus is on identifying potential hazards at an early stage and taking appropriate measures to prevent accidents at work and occupational illnesses. Targeted measures, such as designing ergonomic workstations, promoting mental health or minimizing stress in the workplace, can effectively reduce risks.
Consulting and training
To support companies in implementing these measures, employers' liability insurance associations offer practical training courses and comprehensive advisory services. These programs are aimed at both managers and employees and cover a wide range of safety-related topics. The aim is to enable everyone involved to act independently, to work in a safety-conscious manner and to recognize and avoid potential hazards in good time.
Trade unions and their importance
Trade unions have historically played a central role in occupational health and safety and are still a driving force for safe and healthy working conditions today. They not only stand up for the interests of employees, but are also actively involved in the development and improvement of occupational health and safety legislation. Since the 19th century, trade unions in Germany have made a significant contribution to reducing accidents at work by successfully enforcing higher safety standards and reducing reportable accidents at work. You can find out more about this in our article on the history of occupational health and safety.
The involvement of trade unions is crucial in order to create comprehensive and forward-looking occupational health and safety regulations. Without their influence, many of today's safety standards would be unthinkable.
Co-determination in the company
Works councils, which work closely with trade unions, also play an important role in occupational health and safety. They have statutory co-determination rights that enable them to play an active role in shaping working conditions, particularly in areas such as working hours and health and safety. Works councils ensure that the concerns of the workforce are incorporated into the company's decision-making processes and therefore make a significant contribution to a safe working environment. Through their involvement, they are indispensable partners for employers and employers' liability insurance associations.
Support and representation of employees
Trade unions represent the economic and social interests of employees vis-à-vis employers and provide them with comprehensive support. They organize strikes to fight for better working conditions and safety standards and offer legal advice and representation in labor law issues.
They also promote the active participation of employees in works councils and supervisory boards, which increases their influence on work-related decisions and enables them to have a direct say in shaping working conditions.
Employers and their obligations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act
Occupational health and safety in Germany is not only regulated by specific laws such as the Occupational Health and Safety Act, but is also firmly anchored in fundamental rights. Article 2 of the Basic Law guarantees everyone the right to life and physical integrity. This fundamental right also applies in the work context and obliges employers to actively minimize risks to the health and safety of their employees.
Due to the so-called indirect third-party effect of fundamental rights, these principles apply not only in the relationship between the state and citizens, but also between private actors such as employers and employees. The protection of physical integrity is therefore not only a legal responsibility, but also an ethical responsibility that is embedded in the core of entrepreneurial activity.
This anchoring shows that occupational health and safety is far more than a legal obligation - it is a cornerstone for safeguarding human dignity and the rights of every individual. This fundamental right is actively practiced in the world of work through the cooperation of all stakeholders in the occupational health and safety system.
According to the Occupational Health and Safety Act, the main responsibility for occupational health and safety lies with the employer. They are obliged to ensure that all necessary protective measures are taken and regularly checked. This includes the assessment of health hazards in the workplace as well as the definition and implementation of suitable protective measures.
To ensure occupational health and safety, employers must also appoint occupational safety specialists, company doctors and safety officers to support them in fulfilling these tasks.
Risk assessment
A risk assessment is the central pillar of occupational health and safety. Employers are legally obliged to systematically identify and evaluate potential hazards in the workplace. Preventative measures are developed on the basis of this analysis in order to identify and eliminate risks at an early stage. The risk assessment must be regularly reviewed and updated to take account of new developments, work processes or potential hazards.
Instruction of employees
Another central component of the employer's obligations is the regular training of employees in health and safety issues. This training must be tailored to the specific working conditions and risks of the respective workplace. The aim is to provide employees with the necessary knowledge to recognize health hazards and react appropriately.
The instructions include essential topics such as first aid, fire safety and ergonomic workplace design. They must not only be documented, but also repeated regularly, especially when new employees are hired or when work processes and conditions change.
State occupational health and safety authorities
The Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA) and the occupational safety and health authorities of the federal states are central state institutions in the German occupational safety and health system. They work closely together to promote and monitor safe and healthy working conditions in Germany.
The Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA)
The BAuA is a nationwide research institution under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs. It develops scientific principles and practice-oriented recommendations on health and safety in the workplace. Its aim is to identify risks in the world of work and to develop preventive measures that help companies to comply with and continuously improve occupational health and safety standards. With its research and advice, the BAuA makes a significant contribution to the further development of occupational safety and health and provides valuable information for employers, employees and political decision-makers.
Occupational health and safety authorities of the federal states
The health and safety authorities, on the other hand, are primarily responsible for monitoring and enforcing health and safety regulations. These authorities act at state level and carry out company inspections to check compliance with legal provisions. They have the right to order measures to protect employees and ensure that health and safety standards are implemented in companies. Their work is crucial to strengthening the legal framework in practice and ensuring comprehensive protection of workers.
Together, the BAuA and the occupational health and safety authorities of the federal states form an important pillar of the German occupational health and safety system. While the BAuA drives forward the research and development of new occupational health and safety concepts, the state authorities ensure their implementation and monitoring on the ground.
Other important players in occupational health and safety
Occupational safety specialist
The occupational safety specialist supports the employer by advising on all matters relating to occupational health and safety. Although they have no direct authority to issue instructions to employees, they bear a decisive responsibility for the implementation of occupational health and safety regulations in the company.
Their main tasks include analyzing and evaluating working conditions as well as developing and recommending preventative measures to avoid accidents. The prerequisite for working as an occupational safety specialist is specialized training and formal appointment by the employer.
Company doctor and occupational health services
Company doctors play a central role in protecting the health of employees. They assess workplaces from a medical perspective and support companies in the prevention of work-related illnesses. Company doctors regularly monitor the health of employees and advise the company on the design of health-promoting workplaces.
Occupational health services complement these tasks by advising on the implementation of occupational health and safety measures and contributing their medical expertise. This support is essential to ensure the long-term health and safety of the workforce.
Professional associations
In addition to the actors already mentioned, professional associations also play a decisive role in improving safety standards and further training in the field of occupational health and safety. Since the 1990s, the formation of networks in occupational health and safety has become increasingly important, with cooperation between various stakeholders focusing on the development of joint strategies and measures.
These networks promote the exchange of knowledge and best practices and help to continuously improve health and safety in the workplace.
Conclusion: Cooperation for optimal working conditions
Occupational health and safety in Germany is a complex but effective system based on the close cooperation of numerous stakeholders. Cooperation between different stakeholders is essential for the successful implementation of measures to prevent hazards and promote health in the workplace.
Employers' liability insurance associations, trade unions, employers, state authorities and other institutions work hand in hand to ensure safe and healthy working conditions. Prevention, training, advice and strong cooperation are the central building blocks of this system.
Continuous networking and the exchange of information between those involved ensure that occupational health and safety is constantly evolving and responding to the changing challenges of the modern working world. This interaction between stakeholders makes it possible to find flexible and sustainable solutions for new risks and thus create safe workplaces in the long term.
Frequently asked questions
What role do the employers' liability insurance associations play in occupational health and safety?
Employers' liability insurance associations play a crucial role in occupational health and safety by acting as the statutory accident insurance provider and drawing up health and safety regulations. They also guarantee financial protection in the event of an accident.
How do trade unions support occupational health and safety?
Trade unions support occupational health and safety by helping to shape occupational health and safety legislation and lobbying for comprehensive occupational health and safety. They represent the interests of employees in order to ensure safe working conditions.
What obligations do employers have in terms of occupational health and safety?
Employers have a duty to assess health hazards and take appropriate protective measures. They are also obliged to appoint occupational safety specialists, company doctors and safety officers to ensure occupational health and safety.
What is the main task of the occupational safety specialist?
The main task of the occupational safety specialist is to advise the employer on health and safety issues and to develop preventative measures to avoid accidents. However, they have no direct authority to issue instructions to employees.
Why is cooperation between all stakeholders in occupational health and safety so important?
Cooperation between all stakeholders in occupational health and safety is essential in order to implement effective measures to prevent hazards and promote safety and health in the workplace. Continuous progress can be achieved through the exchange of best practices and joint projects.
