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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.
The Biological Substances Ordinance (BioStoffV) protects all employees working with biological agents (biological substances) across all industries. The ordinance was revised on July 23, 2013 in order to transpose EU Directive 2010/32/EU (“Needlestick Directive”) into national law. The fifth revised edition is now available on the website of the LASI (Länderausschuss für Arbeitsschutz und Sicherheitstechnik).
Safe work requires appropriate products and work equipment. These must not only be designed safely, but also be fit for purpose. The changing world of work, technological innovations and new distribution channels make this topic particularly dynamic.
How widespread is violence at work? Statistics paint a mixed picture. Between 9,000 and 13,000 reportable accidents at work per year are caused by violence. Psychological violence such as insults or threats are often not included in the statistics. A representative survey conducted by forsa, Gesellschaft für Sozialforschung und statistische Analysen mbH on behalf of the German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV), the umbrella organization of the German Social Accident Insurance Institutions, now shows that around a third of employees who have frequent contact with people outside the company, such as customers or patients, have experienced verbal abuse at work in the past twelve months.
With shorter days and poor visibility, the risk of accidents increases in the fall, especially on construction sites. The German Social Accident Insurance Institution for the construction industry (BG BAU) recommends measures to keep employees visible and safe. “In darkness and poor visibility, the risk of accidents and being overlooked increases,” says Bernhard Arenz, Head of Prevention at BG BAU. He emphasizes the importance of lighting and high-visibility clothing.
The TikTok campaign “komm gut an.” aims to raise young people’s awareness of safe mobility during training. It was launched by the Berufsgenossenschaft Handel und Warenlogistik (BGHW), the Bundesverband Großhandel, Außenhandel, Dienstleistungen (BGA) and the German Road Safety Council (DVR). After a successful first year, the campaign will continue until mid-2025 in order to draw attention to the dangers of road traffic and commuting.
Violence and aggression are an increasing problem for many employees. The consequences for those affected as well as companies and institutions can be serious. The current issue of the magazine “DGUV forum” deals with the causes of violence and the development of suitable prevention measures. Accident reports and the experience of the accident insurance institutions show that such incidents happen again and again.
When it gets hot, the health risks increase for everyone working on construction sites. The German Social Accident Insurance Institution for the construction industry (BG BAU) points this out. The BG BAU’s heat action plans provide guidance on how to get through the hot period.