“You too! Act instead of gawking!” was the title of the violence prevention conference in Vienna, where 300 participants discussed concrete measures to combat violence and improve safety in the workplace. The event was organized by the Vienna Chamber of Labour, the Austrian Trade Union Federation (ÖGB), the trade unions vida, GPA, GÖD and the Weißer Ring association.
The Sixth Ordinance amending the Ordinance on Occupational Diseases (BKV) came into force at the beginning of April 2025. This amendment adds three new entries to the list of occupational diseases.
According to Section 5 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act, employers are obliged to assess the working conditions for all employees. Since the reform of the Maternity Protection Act (MuSchG) in 2018, it is also necessary to check whether there are additional risks for pregnant or breastfeeding mothers. The “Fourth Bureaucracy Relief Act” (BEG IV) amended the requirements for risk assessment in the Maternity Protection Act in order to reduce the burden on employers.
The German Road Safety Council (DVR) presents the Vision Zero Award to recognize innovative projects that are committed to a world without road deaths and serious injuries. A total of €9,000 in prize money is awarded to initiatives that have already been successfully launched and are designed for the long term. Entries can be submitted via the application form until May 4, 2025.
According to the German Society for Occupational and Environmental Medicine (DGAUM), medical prevention concepts should be broadened in order to relieve the burden on the heavily strained healthcare system. It is important to anchor occupational medical expertise more firmly in the thinking and actions of those responsible. The DGAUM is therefore calling for cross-sectoral medical care.
Electronic documentation in occupational health and safety offers an efficient way to meet legal requirements and systematically organize occupational safety. It includes the digital recording of risk assessments, time sheets, instructions and inspections of work equipment.
What the partial legalization of cannabis means for occupational safety: Basi interview with Daniel Budde, measurement technology expert at Dräger.
Violations of the Occupational Health and Safety Act can have serious consequences. Examples of such violations include an inadequate risk assessment, a lack of protective measures or inadequate safety precautions such as unsuitable escape routes or incomplete first aid equipment.