Is the Safety Officer at the Workplace Now Being Abolished? - Germany Proposes Raising Workplace Safety Threshold Amidst Safety Concerns
The German government is considering changes to workplace safety regulations, with Labor Minister Bárbel Bas proposing to raise the threshold for requiring a safety officer from 20 to 50 employees. However, the German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV) opposes this, stressing the importance of safety for productivity and competitiveness in Germany.
DGUV Managing Director Stephan Fasshauer underscored that workplace safety and health boost productivity and Germany's economic competitiveness. Currently, there's no exact number of companies with at least one safety officer, but regulations require it for businesses with over 20 employees. Estimates suggest around 670,000 to 760,000 safety officers across German companies.
Minister Bas's proposal aims to reduce bureaucratic burdens by raising the threshold and allowing larger firms to manage with one officer instead of several. The government's 'Relief Cabinet' focuses on reducing paperwork through digitization, including streamlining skilled labor immigration and digitizing more administrative procedures. However, the German Trade Union Confederation (DGB) argues that eliminating safety officer roles could increase preventable accidents and lost productivity.
The government's plans to deregulate workplace safety regulations are met with mixed reactions. While the government aims to reduce burdens, DGUV and DGB warn about potential safety and productivity risks. The outcome remains uncertain, with CDU politician Ralf Brinkhaus expecting 'no grand, sweeping reform' but 'hundreds of small steps'.
