What is occupational safety and health in Germany?
Occupational safety means: Your health and safety at work are protected. In Germany, there are clear rules so that you can work safely, not get injured, and not get sick.
You should know this:
- Occupational safety ensures that hazards in the workplace are identified and avoided, for example through safe machinery or protective clothing.
- Your employer must ensure that your work is safe. They must inform and instruct you.
- Your employer is responsible for providing safe facilities, machinery, and a safe environment (working hours regulations, workplace design, etc.).
- You must follow the rules. For example, wear protective clothing or follow safety instructions.
- Occupational safety helps prevent accidents and illnesses. This way, you can always work safely and healthily.
- Occupational safety applies to all employees, regardless of whether they work full-time, part-time, or are in training.
You can find more information here:
- Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (BMAS) – Explains what occupational safety is and what rights and obligations employees have:https://www.bmas.de/DE/Arbeit/Arbeitsschutz/arbeitsschutz.html
- German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV) – Provides information about the regulations of European and German occupational safety law:https://www.dguv.de/ifa/fachinfos/regeln-und-vorschriften/erlaeuterungen-zum-regelwerk/index.jsp
- Occupational safety explained simply in a video by the Berufsgenossenschaft für Gesundheitsdienst und Wohlfahrtspflege (BGW):https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Co0omvZwZI