ASiG: Professional advice for safe and healthy work
Core points of ASiG
- Clarify appointments and responsibilities
- Safeguard professional independence
- Organise collaboration within the business
Bring professional advice into daily operations.
Medical insight into health and the safety assessment of work complement each other. Together, they help identify hazards and inform advice on suitable changes to working conditions.
The ASiG provides the framework for this collaboration. Appointments, information flows and the handling of professional recommendations need to work together in daily operations.
Primary source: current text of ASiG
On the workplace safety committee: Section 11 of the ASiG
Who is responsible for what?
Different areas of expertise support workplace prevention.
The employer provides the conditions for the work
Employers appoint occupational physicians and safety specialists in writing as required by the Act. Factors include the type of business, hazards and number of employees. Appointment also involves supporting the specialists in their work and providing the information and resources they need.
Two perspectives on workplace safety
Occupational physicians advise on the health effects of work, examine and advise employees, and contribute to assessing working conditions. Safety specialists support technical and organisational safety matters and work designed around people. Both contribute distinct professional knowledge to workplace prevention.
Advise together and guide improvements
Occupational physicians and safety specialists exercise their professional expertise independently. The Act provides for collaboration and joint workplace inspections. Recommendations should lead to practical improvements in employees’ work. Praxly supports coordination and keeps tasks, documents and implementation connected.
Organise collaboration in your workplace.
Turn professional advice into agreed next steps.
Step 01
Clarify appointments
Appoint the physician and safety specialist in writing as required by the Act and define their tasks.
Step 02
Provide information
Inform specialists about working conditions, hazards and relevant changes.
Step 03
Bring advice together
Consider recommendations from occupational health and safety perspectives.
Step 04
Decide and follow up
Keep a clear record of actions, owners and the work that follows.
The legislation is decisive.
This overview provides general information and does not replace a legal assessment of an individual situation.
Frequently asked questions
How do the ASiG and DGUV Regulation 2 relate?
The ASiG establishes the legal framework. DGUV Regulation 2 adds detail on matters including the involvement of specialists and the available support models.
When is a workplace safety committee required?
Generally in establishments with more than twenty employees, unless another legal provision says otherwise. Part-time employees are counted using the statutory factors. The committee discusses workplace safety matters and meets at least quarterly.
Do occupational physicians and safety specialists exercise independent judgement?
Yes. They are independent when applying their occupational medical and safety expertise. Occupational physicians must also respect medical confidentiality.
Professional support for your working conditions.
Praxly offers occupational health and safety services with software for collaboration. Let’s discuss where your workplace needs support.
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