Not just in the workplace: Know and use contact persons for occupational health and safety

Safety and health at work are not a given – they are the result of a network of responsibilities, expertise, and effective communication. In the German occupational health and safety system, there are numerous individuals and bodies that support employees, both within and outside the company. Knowing who to contact in any given situation provides better protection – and enables employees to contribute to the safety of others.

This article introduces the most important contact persons and committees in occupational health and safety: from in-house experts to company doctors and the Berufsgenossenschaft (statutory accident insurance) as an external support structure. It also explains how employees can report hazards, contribute improvement ideas, and act appropriately in sensitive situations.

The safety specialist: Expert for safe workplaces

The safety specialist – often abbreviated as Sifa – is the central expert in the company responsible for preventing accidents and work-related health hazards. They analyze workplaces, identify risks – such as unsafe machinery or tripping hazards – and advise employers on implementing protective measures.

At the same time, the Sifa serves as a contact person for all employees: anyone who notices an unsafe situation or has questions about the safe execution of a task can and should approach them directly. They also support the preparation and implementation of safety training sessions.

The company doctor: Confidential advice and medical expertise

The company doctor is the medical expert in the company. Their role is to protect and promote the health of employees through preventive examinations, advice on work-related complaints, and assessments of workplace hazards. They work closely with the safety specialist.

A key feature of occupational medical advice is its confidentiality: discussions with the company doctor are subject to medical confidentiality. Information may not be passed on to the company without the explicit consent of the affected person. Employees can therefore speak openly about health-related burdens or complaints without fear of consequences.

Management, works council, and occupational health and safety committee: Internal structure with clear roles

In addition to experts, there are other important contact persons within the company. Management is the first point of contact for specific workplace problems – whether a hazardous situation, a health restriction, or a request for work simplification. They are responsible for ensuring work is carried out safely and must take any concerns seriously.

The works council represents employees' interests and can be involved in matters related to working conditions, safety, or health – even if direct discussions with management are not possible or desired. In larger companies, the occupational health and safety committee complements these structures by discussing hazards and developing solutions together.

If employees feel unheard within the company, they also have the option of contacting the relevant occupational health and safety authority anonymously.

Workplace integration management: Support after long-term illness

Employees who have been off sick for a long time or repeatedly are entitled to support through Workplace Integration Management (BEM). As part of the BEM process, the affected person, the company, and – if applicable – the works council jointly examine how a return to work can be achieved: through adapted tasks, modified working hours, or other measures. Some companies also offer external health advice via so-called Employee Assistance Programs (EAP).

The Berufsgenossenschaft: Cross-company protection in case of accidents and occupational diseases

Berufsgenossenschaften are the statutory accident insurance providers in Germany. They are organized by industry – from the administrative professions' Berufsgenossenschaft to the BG for electrical, textile, energy and media sectors, and the BG for raw materials and chemical industries – and have two core tasks: prevention and rehabilitation.

In the area of prevention, they monitor whether companies comply with occupational health and safety regulations, advise employers and employees, and offer training. In the event of an accident or occupational disease, they cover the costs of medical treatment, rehabilitation, and – if necessary – further support measures.

For employees, the Berufsgenossenschaft is also an important source of information: their websites and the DGUV provide free, reliably prepared materials on safety and health protection at work.

Acting correctly in an emergency: Reporting workplace accidents and seeking help

In the event of a workplace accident, the key rule is: report it immediately. The affected person informs their manager or a colleague – the company then reports the accident to the relevant Berufsgenossenschaft or accident insurance provider. Medical treatment is provided by a so-called Durchgangsarzt (assessing doctor), who specializes in work and commuting accidents and decides on the treatment procedure.

Important: Even minor accidents without visible injuries should be reported – some consequences only become apparent later. Recording the incident in the Verbandbuch (first aid book) by a first aider or manager provides evidence. All costs for treatment and rehabilitation in the case of a recognized workplace accident are covered by the statutory accident insurance – employees do not have to pay anything themselves.

Employees can find the nearest Durchgangsarzt using the DGUV database search (DIVA-online). The company also provides information on the agreed emergency procedures.

Contributing improvement ideas: Shaping safety culture through participation

Employees often know their workplace better than any external expert. Improvement ideas – whether about processes, tools, or safety measures – are therefore a valuable contribution to workplace prevention. They can be shared directly with management, via the works council, or – if available – through the occupational health and safety committee.

All employees have the right to make suggestions – regardless of their contract type or position. In some companies, good improvement ideas are even rewarded. The key point is: ideas that reduce stress, simplify processes, or minimize hazards should not be kept to oneself.

Colleagues under the influence: Acting out of shared responsibility

Alcohol or other intoxicants at work are not just a personal issue – they endanger the safety of everyone. Anyone who notices that a colleague is under the influence at work or becomes intoxicated during work bears shared responsibility for the potential consequences.

The right course of action is to act calmly and discreetly, describe the observed behavior factually, and report the situation to management or a trusted person in the company. This is not about judging or controlling someone – it is about preventing accidents and helping the affected person. Employers have a duty of care and are obligated to act as soon as a hazard is identified.

This example illustrates how the various contact persons in occupational health and safety work together: management takes action, the company doctor can provide supportive advice, the works council can mediate – and together, they all contribute to ensuring the workplace remains a safe environment.

Collaboration among stakeholders: Protection through networking

Occupational health and safety is not a solo effort. Its effectiveness comes from the collaboration between in-house and external stakeholders – from safety specialists and company doctors to works councils and the Berufsgenossenschaft. Employees who know who to contact in any given situation can actively use this system to protect their own health and the safety of everyone in the workplace. The following individual articles provide detailed information and practical guidance on each contact person and topic.

Comprehensive sources

1. German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV) – Safety Specialist:https://www.dguv.de/en/prevention/training/safety-specialist/index.jsp

Tasks of the safety specialist in the company, qualifications, and legal framework

2. DGUV – Occupational safety and health protection in the company:https://www.dguv.de/en/your-partner/companies/occupational-safety

In-house contact persons, company doctors, safety specialists, and internal structures

3. DGUV – Berufsgenossenschaften and accident insurance funds:https://www.dguv.de/en/bg-uk-lv/bg/index.jsp

Overview of Berufsgenossenschaften by industry, benefits in case of workplace accidents and occupational diseases

4. Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (BMAS) – Statutory accident insurance:https://www.bmas.de/EN/SocialSecurity/StatutoryAccidentInsurance/statutory-accident-insurance.html

Accident insurance coverage, reporting obligations, prevention, and rehabilitation

5. Federal Association for Rehabilitation (BAR) – BEM compass: Workplace Integration Management:https://www.bar-frankfurt.de/en/topics/working-life/workplace-integration-management/bem-compass

Processes, rights, and support options in BEM after long-term illness

6. German Centre for Addiction Issues (DHS) – Alcohol at work:https://www.dhs.de/fileadmin/user_upload/pdf/Broschueren/Flyer_Alkohol-am-Abeitsplatz.pdf

Duties of employees and employers, recommendations for action regarding addiction issues in the workplace