The occupational safety specialist (SiFa) plays a central role in occupational safety. According to the regulations of the German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV), they are a qualified person who is legally tasked with advising the company on occupational health and safety and accident prevention issues.
Safety specialists have completed special training that enables them to analyze potential hazards in the workplace and derive accident prevention measures. In this way, they help to ensure healthy and humane working conditions in the company.
In Germany, occupational safety specialists (SiFas) work in accordance with the Occupational Safety Act (ASiG), taking into account and implementing the EC Council Framework Directive 89/391/EEC. This directive lays down measures to improve the safety and health protection of employees in the workplace.
The most important facts in brief
✓ An occupational safety specialist (SiFa) is a qualified person who advises and supports companies in matters of occupational safety and accident prevention.
SiFas analyze hazards in the workplace, derive measures to prevent accidents and ensure healthy and humane working conditions.
✓ The number and scope of the activities of health and safety officers in a company depend on the size of the company and the specific hazards.
What are the tasks of an occupational safety specialist?
Occupational safety specialists have various tasks to perform in the company:
Planning, execution and maintenance of the premises
Thisrelates to the design and maintenance of workplaces such as buildings, traffic routes, break rooms and sanitary facilities. The occupational health and safety specialist should already be involved in the planning phase in order to successfully identify defects and hazards at an early stage.
Procurement of work equipment and introduction of work processes or working materials
Theoccupational health and safety specialist should be involved in the procurement of new work equipment or the modification of work processes to ensure that occupational health and safety remains guaranteed. If necessary, they also recommend instructing employees so that everyone in the company is familiar with the information on possible protective measures.
Selection and testing of protective equipment
Theoccupational safety specialist (SiFa) checks the suitability of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as protective clothing, breathing apparatus and hearing protection.
Workplace design, work processes and ergonomics
Theoccupational safety specialist ensures that the work is adapted to the needs of the employees.
Assessment of working conditions
The risk assessment is a central point in which the safety specialist (SiFa) provides support, particularly in the planning, execution, documentation and implementation of measures to improve occupational safety. Their most important function is to advise the employer on occupational health and safety in the workplace.
Safety-related support and inspection of operating facilities and technical work equipment
Inaddition to providing advice, the safety expert (Sifa) also carries out independent inspections of operating systems and technical work equipment to ensure their functionality and safety.
Checking the employees' level of information
Thetasks of the occupational safety specialist also include ensuring that employees have sufficient knowledge of occupational safety and protective measures.
Accident investigation and reporting
Inthe event of accidents at work or occupational illnesses, the occupational safety specialist investigates the causes and proposes measures to prevent future incidents. These investigations are always documented.
Conception of an emergency action plan
Thetask of a safety specialist (Sifa) when designing an emergency action plan is to ensure the effectiveness of the rescue chain, especially in situations involving lone working. In such cases, personal emergency signal systems can also be used to ensure rapid assistance in an emergency.
All the tasks of an occupational safety specialist are also regulated in DGUV Regulation 2.
Who needs an occupational safety specialist?
The employer is responsible for occupational safety and accident prevention in his company. His duties include the written appointment of occupational safety specialists who have the necessary specialist knowledge, as stipulated in Section 5 of the Occupational Safety Act (ASiG).
The works council or staff council must approve this appointment. All other provisions regarding the appointment of a safety specialist are regulated in the ASiG and in DGUV Regulation 2 of the German Social Accident Insurance.
These can be internal employees or external service providers, as long as they have the prescribed qualifications in accordance with Section 4 of DGUV Regulation 2. According to this regulation, the qualification as an occupational safety specialist generally requires a professional background as an engineer, technician or master craftsman, accompanied by at least two years of practical experience in this field.
In addition, safety-related specialist knowledge is required, which can be acquired in special training programs offered by the accident insurance institutions. These training courses impart comprehensive knowledge, skills and competencies that are necessary for working as an occupational safety specialist.
How many occupational safety specialists does a company need?
The Occupational Safety Act (ASiG) does not specify a minimum number of employees above which the appointment of a safety expert is required. Although the Occupational Safety Act (ASiG) used to contain the addition "insofar as this is necessary", this is missing in DGUV Regulation 2.
This means that a safety expert (Sifa) or an alternative supervision model is required from the very first employee.
The intensity of support provided by the safety officer in your company depends on the number of employees and the specific risks to health and safety at work.
A detailed risk assessment can provide information about the risks and the company's hazard class. Find out more in our sample risk assessment guide.
DGUV Regulation 2 specifies the scope of safety-related supervision in your company. Instead of fixed supervision times, it specifies what supervision is required for each individual company.
A distinction is essentially made between regular supervision by a safety specialist and alternative supervision, also known as the entrepreneur model:
If there are 10 or fewer employees, regular supervision is provided, which includes basic supervision and ad hoc supervision: Occasional supervision means seeking advice from a company doctor and/or an occupational safety specialist on special occasions.
If there are at least 10 employees, standardized regular supervision applies: This includes basic measures to improve health and safety at work.
For up to 50 employees, it is possible to choose between regular supervision and the alternative needs-based form of supervision: As part of the alternative needs-based supervision, the employer is informed about occupational health and safety issues in their company and supported by the safety specialist in implementing the necessary measures.
How does an occupational safety specialist work together with other areas of the company?
The safety specialist (Sifa) works closely with various departments in the company to successfully master their work in health and safety protection:
Occupational Health and Safety Committee:
The occupational safety specialist works closely with the health and safety committee. In accordance with Section 11 ASiG, this committee is made up of various people, including the employer or a senior employee, the company doctor, representatives of the works council/staff council, safety officers, occupational safety specialists and the representative body for severely disabled employees.
The duties of the health and safety committee include advising on health and safety matters, with meetings generally being held on a quarterly basis.
Safety officer:
The safety expert (Sifa) can work together with safety officers in the company. These people often specialize in certain safety aspects and work closely with the Sifa to ensure compliance with safety standards.
Company doctor:
The occupational safety specialist works together with the company doctor to advise and support the employer in all matters relating to the health and safety of employees.
This can include the joint performance of health examinations, the assessment of health risks and the development of preventive measures.
Managers and employees:
The primary task of the safety specialist is to support the employer in occupational health and safety, accident prevention and the humane organization of work.
This may include training, instruction and communication of safety policies and procedures.
Occupational safety specialists should help to anchor occupational safety measures at all levels of the company.
Specialized agents:
Depending on the specific risks and requirements of the company, the safety expert (Sifa) can work with specialized officers such as radiation protection officers, laser protection officers, hazardous substances officers and others to ensure that all safety aspects are covered.
Cooperation between the occupational safety specialist and these various departments is crucial for the effective implementation of occupational safety and accident prevention in the company. This not only serves the safety of employees, but also the fulfillment of legal requirements and the prevention of accidents and damage to health.
What does an occupational safety specialist earn?
The salary of an occupational safety specialist varies greatly and therefore depends on various factors such as education and training, professional experience, responsibility, regional differences and industry-specific requirements.
In companies bound by collective agreements, the salary is determined in accordance with the collective agreements.
After completing training and further training as a safety specialist (FaSi), the gross salary is usually between €45,000 and €60,000 per year.
