Risk assessment under the Occupational Safety Act

Employees face various health stresses at work that can lead to absence. Musculoskeletal and cardiovascular conditions top the list of causes for sick notes, but mental disorders rank first in insurance statistics for absence and long-term incapacity — stress and burnout are key terms. Every employer has a legal duty under the Occupational Safety Act to carry out a risk assessment and take protective measures where needed; violations can be administrative offences or crimes (§ 26 ArbSchG).

Focus: mental stress

Since 2013 employers must also assess psychological stress (§§ 4 and 5 ArbSchG). The BDA published guidance in 2013 on risk assessment with a special focus on psychological stress.

SMEs are especially affected

In small and medium-sized companies risk assessments are not routine; many regulations apply. We help you implement lawful risk assessment for physical and psychological stress without standard questionnaires or expensive software — we develop a tailored analysis with you.

With us you complete all legally required steps efficiently:

Inventory
Defining similar workplaces and activities
Recording stress factors
Assessing stress factors
Deriving measures
Implementing measures
Effectiveness checks
Documentation
Briefing employees and officers
Co-determination