Occupational Safety Specialist

Occupational Safety Specialist

The Occupational Safety Act obligates employers and authorities to implement comprehensive preventive measures to avoid health damage at the workplace caused by accidents and illnesses. To meet these requirements, a support relationship with a properly trained "Occupational Safety Specialist" must be demonstrated.

(See §5 of the Occupational Safety Act (ASiG), Appointment of Occupational Safety Specialists)

We provide the legally required "Occupational Safety Specialists" through external support relationships in all regions of Germany.

The primary role of an Occupational Safety Specialist is to advise management and employees in companies and authorities on occupational health and safety.

Our goal is to establish a balanced, efficient, cost-optimized, and legally compliant occupational safety organization in companies and authorities.

Assessment of Working Conditions: Conducting hazard analyses and preparing all necessary documentation.

Consultation on Workplace Design: Advising on workplace layout, work environment, and workflows.

Accident Investigation: Conducting accident investigations, developing preventive measures, and compiling accident statistics.

Advising on Equipment Procurement: Providing guidance on the procurement of work equipment, machines, and personal protective equipment, and conducting safety technical inspections.

Training and Instruction: Offering training and instruction for your employees on all aspects of occupational and health safety.

Creation of Operational Instructions: Developing operational instructions.

Regular Workplace Inspections: Conducting regular workplace inspections to improve occupational safety and accident prevention within the company.

The risk posed by neglecting occupational safety and health measures is often underestimated, not only for employees but also for those responsible in a company. The responsibility always lies with the employer and often with employees in leadership positions.

For example, fines of up to €25,000 or even multi-year prison sentences can be imposed.

Compensation claims against managing directors and executives by injured employees or trade associations can also be made against natural persons (entrepreneurs/executives). This means that liability limitations arising from the company's legal form can be bypassed (piercing the corporate veil)!

Without experts in occupational safety and health protection, it is extremely risky for the entrepreneur to be responsible, aside from the legal obligation, and ultimately results in saving at the wrong place.

We support your international arrangements, branches, and subsidiaries on-site, creating workplaces that comply with current EU standards for occupational safety and health protection for your employees.

What are the benefits of an optimal occupational safety organization?

  • Improved, Hazard-Free, and Ergonomically Optimized Workplaces: Leading to higher efficiency and quality.
  • Employee Well-being: One of the most important foundations for increasing motivation, creativity, productivity, and quality.
  • Loss Minimization: Through the reduction of work-related illnesses and accidents.

Corporate Image:

  • Schedule and Quality Assurance: Improved personnel planning with fewer sickness-related absences.
  • External Appearance: Enhanced appearance of employees, which positively reflects on the company.

(1) The employer must appoint Occupational Safety Specialists (safety engineers, technicians, or masters) in writing and assign them the tasks specified in §6, as necessary, considering:

  1. The type of business and the associated accidents and health hazards for employees.
  1. The number of employees and the composition of the workforce.
  2. The organization of the business, particularly regarding the number and type of individuals responsible for occupational safety and accident prevention.
  3. The knowledge and training of the employer or the individuals responsible for occupational safety as per §13 Abs. 1 Nr. 1, 2, or 3 of the Occupational Safety Act.

(2) The employer must ensure that the appointed Occupational Safety Specialists perform their tasks. The employer must support them in fulfilling their duties; specifically, the employer is required to provide them with necessary support staff, spaces, facilities, equipment, and resources. The employer must inform them about the use of individuals employed under temporary contracts or assigned to work for the employer.

(3) The employer must enable the Occupational Safety Specialists to obtain the necessary continuing education required to fulfill their tasks, considering operational needs. If the Occupational Safety Specialist is employed as a worker, they must be released from work for the duration of the continuing education, with continued payment of wages. The employer bears the costs of continuing education. If the Occupational Safety Specialist is not employed as a worker, they must be released from their assigned tasks for the duration of the continuing education.