Ausg. Nr._04/2023 23 Occupational safety and health Occupational safety experts from TÜV Rheinland provide support in preparing and updating the GBU / Changes in the company and the legal situation must be taken into account in the GBU / www.tuv.com/arbeitssicherheit According to the German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV), the number of reportable occupational accidents fell by 1.8 percent year-on-year to 791,698 in 2022. Despite the decline, this still leaves a considerable number of - preventable - occupational accidents. This makes it all the more important for companies to constantly update their occupational safety concepts. "A central tool for identifying hazards and deriving measures for continuous improvement of occupational health and safety from the results is the risk assessment (GBU). Companies are required by the Occupational Health and Safety Act to prepare a GBU and to update it regularly. This is not always the case, especially in small and medium-sized companies: about half of the companies do not have a risk assessment or it has not been carried out adequately[1]," explains Dr. Ludwig Brands, occupational safety expert at TÜV Rheinland. Regular review is mandatory In addition to the Occupational Safety Act, GBU plays a crucial role in all subordinate occupational safety regulations. One important example is the Ordinance on Safety and Health in the Use of Work Equipment (Betriebssicherheitsverordnung, BetrSichV). Like the other ordinances, this ordinance requires, among other things, a regular review of the GBU. The current state of the art must be taken into account. In addition, companies must specify regular inspections for all work equipment whose use involves safety-relevant wear and tear, such as for ladders, large shelving units or industrial trucks. If new work equipment is acquired, or if premises or work processes are changed, this is also an occasion to review the GBU and adapt it if necessary. After all, new hazards may result from the changes or previously existing ones may be eliminated. "In addition, it is important to have all legal regulations in view from the outset when changes are made. That's why we recommend involving our occupational safety experts as early as the planning stage for new acquisitions and changes. For example, it is not permissible to set up and commission a new machine without further ado or to make changes to it at will without a new or updated risk assessment having been carried out. The additional hazards that may be caused by these actions must be identified in advance so that appropriate countermeasures can be taken. If adjustments have to be made afterwards, this is costly and time-consuming," Brands knows. Occupational safety rules change Occupational safety is a process aimed at continuous improvement. As a result, specifications change, such as the Technical Rules for Workplaces (ASR), which specify the requirements of the Workplace Ordinance. Last year, for example, there was an extensive revision of several ASR, including ASR A2.3 Escape routes and emergency exits. Companies must check in their GBU whether the new requirements are met and what measures, if any, need to be taken. If new regulations come into force, such as the training obligation for the use of diisocyanates, which must be implemented by August 24, 2023, this must also be reflected in the GBU for companies that work with these hazardous substances. This is especially true if the required GBU for the use of these products is completely missing, which unfortunately should not be rare. "Risk assessment is a continuous process that requires regular adaptation to changing conditions. Its regular review and updating ensures modern occupational health and safety for employees in the company and reduces the risk of occupational accidents or work-related illnesses. Ultimately, companies that implement professional occupational health and safety - with up-to-date risk assessment, of course - benefit from lower absenteeism. Our experts support companies with their cross-industry expertise and comprehensive advice," Brands emphasizes. Companies and employees can find out more about TÜV Rheinland's occupational safety services at the following link: www.tuv.com/arbeitssicherheit Text & Picture: TÜV Rheinland Am Grauen Stein D-51105 Köln Corporate duty in occupational health and safety:: "About half of companies do not have an (adequate) risk assessment."
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