Working safely and healthily in Germany: What you need to know about occupational health and safety
Occupational safety and health in Germany is much more than just a bureaucratic set of rules. It forms the foundation that enables employees – regardless of their role, employment type, 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 occupational safety and health: from legal foundations and safety training to personal protective equipment, company medical 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 safety and health as shared responsibility
Occupational safety and health means that 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 safety and health 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
Anyone wanting to know which protective rules apply at their own workplace will find several reliable points of contact within the company: managers inform about the most important rules and are available for questions. Company doctors and occupational safety specialists explain hazards and protective measures – and can be approached at any time. The works council ensures compliance with occupational safety and health 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 relevant employers' liability insurance associations provide free, clearly presented information – also for people who have not been in Germany for long.
Safety training: the foundation of safe action
A safety training session is a structured training or 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 a 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:
• Wear protective clothing correctly as required
• Operate machinery only as intended and safely
• Maintain order and cleanliness at the workplace
• Report 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 activity, in the form of a safety helmet, safety shoes, gloves, protective goggles, or hearing protection.
Employers are legally obligated to provide suitable PPE free of charge and instruct employees in its correct use. Employees are required to wear the prescribed equipment. Fit issues – such as with safety shoes – should be openly discussed with the manager or the company to find a practical solution together.
Company medical care: mandatory, optional, and confidential
Preventive medical examinations with the company doctor serve to identify health strains early and counteract them. They are divided into two forms: mandatory preventive care is legally required for certain activities with particular health risks – such as handling chemicals. Optional preventive care is available to all employees on a voluntary basis, for example for intensive screen work or shift work.
Both forms are confidential: what is discussed with the company doctor 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 if there are special 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 activity.
The success of a training session depends not only on its content, but also on how it is delivered. Managers who choose practical examples, use clear language, and create a respectful discussion atmosphere sustainably promote acceptance and safety awareness among employees.
Health at the workplace: 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 should be noted: 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 a direct impact on work ability or workplace safety.
Regulations at the workplace: binding for everyone
A wide range of binding regulations apply in the workplace: the Occupational Safety and Health Act, the accident prevention regulations of the employers' liability insurance associations, as well as internal company instructions and works agreements. These regulations protect not only individuals, but the entire workforce. Compliance with them is not a recommendation, but a legal obligation – for employees as well as for 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 the safety of all. The correct course of action here is to act calmly and discreetly, speak to the person concerned, and – if necessary – inform the manager or safety specialist. This is not about control or judgment, but about protecting everyone involved – including the person affected.
Occupational safety and health as a lived culture
The topics summarized in this article form the foundation of a safe and healthy working life in Germany. However, occupational safety and health only achieves its full impact 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 the individual topics and provide concrete, practical answers to the most common questions.
Comprehensive sources
1. Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (BMAS) – Occupational Safety and Health: https://www.bmas.de/DE/Arbeit/Arbeitsschutz/arbeitsschutz.html
Basics of occupational safety and health, 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 optional preventive care, company medical examinations, occupational health rights
4. Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA) – Personal Protective Equipment: https://www.baua.de/DE/Themen/Arbeitsgestaltung/Sichere-Produkte/Persoenliche-Schutzausruestungen