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Occupational disease
Every year, the German Social Accident Insurance Institution for the construction industry (BG BAU) registers more than 90,000 accidents at work. Every fourth day, construction workers suffer a fatal accident. All those who have lost their lives as a result of an accident at work or an occupational illness are remembered on Workers Memorial Day. The idea is that no one should be harmed at work. BG BAU is taking part in the central memorial event organized by the German Construction, Agricultural and Environmental Workers’ Union (IG BAU) on April 28 in Leipzig.
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.
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.
Two to three million Germans work predominantly outdoors and therefore have an increased risk of developing skin cancer. Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin, also known as white skin cancer, is the most common occupational cancer and is the third most common recognized occupational disease in Germany. However, the risk can be significantly reduced with simple protective measures. Nevertheless, many people do not protect themselves sufficiently against UV radiation at work. The German Society for Occupational and Environmental Medicine (DGAUM) sees a need for action and awareness-raising at the start of the summer season.
The coronavirus pandemic is still reflected in the provisional accident and occupational disease figures that the German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV) has now published: in 2022, a total of 368,841 reports of suspected occupational diseases were received by the accident insurance institutions. According to a special survey by the DGUV, 294,446 suspected cases of COVID-19 were reported.