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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.
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.
The new Hazardous Substances Ordinance introduces important changes to protect employees who work with carcinogenic, mutagenic and reprotoxic substances. The focus is on adapted regulations on asbestos and a binding risk concept. In future, all companies that work with carcinogenic hazardous substances must be guided by a “traffic light principle” for risk assessment. This concept, which was already anchored in the Technical Rule for Hazardous Substances 910 (TRGS 910), is now legally binding.
Effective occupational health and safety is based on many elements and their interaction. This includes not only an appropriate and up-to-date set of rules and regulations, but also coordinated cooperation between the various stakeholders in different committees. The current issue of the publication “baua: Aktuell” sheds light on how the Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA) is further developing the structures, strategies and instruments of occupational safety and thus contributing to the effectiveness of occupational safety.
The Cannabis Act (CanG), which now regulates the controlled use of cannabis, brings with it a number of tips and warnings from experts. Dr. Stefan Hussy, Director General of the German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV), points out the legal framework for employees and employers, which is clearly regulated in the accident prevention regulation “Principles of Prevention” (DGUV Regulation 1).
The Cannabis Act (CanG), which now regulates the controlled use of cannabis, brings with it a number of tips and warnings from experts. Dr. Stefan Hussy, Director General of the German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV), points out the legal framework for employees and employers, which is clearly regulated in the accident prevention regulation “Principles of Prevention” (DGUV Regulation 1).
Parkinson’s syndrome caused by pesticides” is to be recognized as an occupational disease. The Medical Advisory Board on Occupational Diseases (ÄSVB) – an independent body attached to the Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs (BMAS) – has recommended this. Inclusion in the Ordinance on Occupational Diseases is considered a formality.
The company safety briefings are an important component of occupational health and safety. They provide employees with up-to-date and relevant knowledge about the hazards and protective measures at work. But how can the often complex topics be presented in an understandable and practical way? Arbeit & Gesundheit magazine shows how various companies successfully organize safety briefings.