Working safely and healthily in Germany: What you need to know about occupational health and safety

Occupational health and safety in Germany is much more than just bureaucratic regulations. It forms the foundation that enables employees – regardless of their job, type of contract, or background – to work safely and healthily. Whether full-time, part-time, or in training: the protective rights apply to everyone.

This article provides a structured overview of the key topics in workplace health and safety: from legal foundations and safety training to personal protective equipment, occupational health care, managing personal health at work, and proper behavior in sensitive situations. The following sections delve deeper into each of these aspects and offer concrete answers based on practical experience.

Occupational health and safety as shared responsibility

Occupational health and safety means: the health and safety of all employees are systematically protected in the workplace. Employers are legally obligated to identify hazards, assess them, and minimize them through appropriate measures – such as safe machinery, clear work instructions, or an ergonomically designed work environment.

At the same time, employees share responsibility: they are expected to comply with protective measures, report identified hazards, and participate in training sessions. Occupational health and safety therefore functions not as a one-way street but as a shared task – between the company and its workforce.

Information and contact persons in the workplace

Those who want to know which protective rules apply at their workplace can find several reliable points of contact in the company: managers inform about the most important rules and are available for questions. Occupational health physicians and safety experts explain hazards and protective measures – and can be approached at any time. The works council ensures compliance with occupational health and safety regulations and is also an important contact point.

Additionally, the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (BMAS), the German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV), and the respective employers' liability insurance associations offer free, easily understandable information – also for people who have not been working in Germany for long.

Safety training: the foundation of safe action

A safety training session is a training course or structured discussion in which employees are informed about hazards in their workplace and the correct protective behavior. It takes place no later than the first day of work – and is repeated whenever new tasks are taken on or modified work equipment is used.

The signature at the end of a training session is not a contract but confirmation that the content has been communicated and understood. It provides security for both the company and the employees themselves. The basic protective rules typically covered include:

• Wearing protective clothing correctly

• Operating machinery only as intended and safely

• Maintaining order and cleanliness at the workplace

• Reporting hazards immediately

Personal protective equipment: protection that must be worn

Where technical or organizational measures cannot fully eliminate hazards, personal protective equipment (PPE) comes into play. It protects the body from injuries, noise, dust, or hazardous substances – depending on the job, in the form of a safety helmet, safety shoes, gloves, safety glasses, or hearing protection.

Employers are legally required to provide suitable PPE free of charge and instruct employees in its correct use. Employees are obligated to wear the prescribed equipment. Fit issues – such as with safety shoes – should be discussed openly with management or the company to find a practical solution together.

Occupational health care: mandatory, voluntary, and confidential

Preventive medical examinations by the company physician serve to identify and counteract health strains at an early stage. They are divided into two types: mandatory preventive care is required for certain jobs with particular health risks – such as handling chemicals. Voluntary preventive care is available to all employees, for example, for intensive screen work or shift work.

Both forms are confidential: what is discussed with the company physician remains subject to medical confidentiality. Only information that is absolutely necessary for immediate workplace safety is passed on to the company. Employees can therefore speak openly without fear of negative consequences.

Regular training sessions: frequency, format, and acceptance

Training sessions are not a one-time event. They must take place at least once a year – and more frequently in cases of particular hazards. Digital training formats are now legally recognized and offer advantages in terms of flexibility, documentation, and accessibility. However, they do not replace direct exchange if this is relevant for safety in the respective job.

The success of a training session depends not only on its content but also on how it is delivered. Managers who use practical examples, speak clearly, and create a respectful discussion atmosphere sustainably promote acceptance and safety awareness among employees.

Health at work: breaks, privacy, and boundaries

Employees have the right to breaks – and this right applies even if they are not feeling well. The Working Hours Act stipulates mandatory minimum rest periods. Anyone who feels unwell at work should take a break without hesitation and inform their manager. Health comes first.

It is important to note: employees are not obligated to provide their manager with full details about their health. A sick note is usually sufficient. Diagnoses, treatment progress, and medical details remain private – unless they have direct implications for work ability or workplace safety.

Workplace regulations: binding for everyone

A wide range of binding regulations apply in the workplace: the Occupational Health and Safety Act, the accident prevention regulations of the employers' liability insurance associations, and company-specific instructions and agreements. These regulations protect not only individuals but the entire workforce. Compliance is not a recommendation but a legal obligation – for employees as well as employers.

Colleagues under the influence: acting responsibly

Anyone who notices that colleagues are under the influence of alcohol or other substances bears shared responsibility for everyone's safety. The correct course of action here is: act calmly and discreetly, speak to the person concerned, and – if necessary – inform the manager or safety expert. This is not about control or judgment but about protecting everyone involved – including the person concerned.

Occupational health and safety as a lived culture

The topics summarized in this article form the foundation of a safe and healthy working life in Germany. However, occupational health and safety only reaches its full potential not through regulations and controls alone, but through a lived culture in the company – driven by mutual respect, clear communication, and the shared goal of staying healthy and working safely. The following articles delve deeper into individual topics and provide practical answers to the most common questions.

Comprehensive sources

1. Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (BMAS) – Occupational health and safety: https://www.bmas.de/DE/Arbeit/Arbeitsschutz/arbeitsschutz.html

Basics of occupational health and safety, training sessions, rights and obligations of employees

2. German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV) – Regulations: https://www.dguv.de/ifa/fachinfos/regeln-und-vorschriften/index.jsp

Workplace regulations, PPE, safety rules, company prevention

3. DGUV Prevention – Occupational medical care: https://www.dguv-vorsorge.de/vorsorge/arbeitsmed/index.jsp

Mandatory and voluntary preventive care, occupational health examinations, occupational medical rights

4. Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA) – Personal protective equipment: https://www.baua.de/DE/Themen/Arbeitsgestaltung/Sichere-Produkte/Persoenliche-Schutzausruestungen