Employer organizations aim to remove the primary representatives from their posts.
In recent developments, the BDA (German Employers' Association) has emphasized the importance of occupational safety, yet called for a clearance of the large number of individual regulations, citing the need for urgent simplification [1]. This call comes as the Association for Safety, Health, and Environmental Protection at Work criticized the employers' initiative to restrict ladder inspections, arguing that such rules protect lives and any disregard for occupational safety could lead to accidents [2].
Germany has made significant strides in occupational health and safety over the past decade, but several obligations remain unmet. For instance, nearly a third of companies have not conducted legally required risk assessments, even 30 years after the regulation was introduced. Furthermore, many companies lack appointed safety officers and occupational physicians, highlighting regulatory enforcement and compliance challenges [1].
The country employs two systems for occupational health and safety: the "standard model" and the "entrepreneurial model." In the standard model, occupational physicians and safety professionals regularly visit companies, while in the entrepreneurial model, employers trained in occupational health and safety assume responsibility [1].
The 39th International A+A Congress in November 2025 will discuss the future of occupational safety and health in Germany, potentially impacting regulatory practices. Innovative solutions such as AI, sensor-based risk assessment, and digital inspections may be on the table [2][3]. German experts are also promoting the use of digital tools and artificial intelligence to advance workplace safety as part of broader prevention strategies [4].
Regarding ladder safety inspections, while no direct references or controversies were found in the provided documents, falls from ladders are among the most common accidents in the skilled trades. Leader commissioners, specially trained employees who check all ladders in the workplace for safety, are currently responsible for these inspections. The employers' associations have proposed abolishing the obligation to appoint operational commissioners, with other trained occupational safety commissioners potentially taking on the task [1].
The BDA has expressed concerns about the effort companies have to make for leader commissioner checks, arguing that modern ladders are hardly error-prone and a visual and functional check by the employee using the ladder is sufficient to minimize accidents [1]. However, the Association for Safety, Health, and Environmental Protection at Work maintains that such rules are crucial for ensuring workplace safety.
The employers' associations, including the BDA, have presented 24 proposals for streamlining occupational safety, including reducing documentation requirements for small businesses, more flexibility in working time management, and longer inspection intervals for notebooks and other electrical devices [1]. The black-red coalition, the current governing coalition in Berlin, aims to review occupational safety measures [1].
For more detailed updates about ladder inspection regulation reforms or employer proposals and related controversies, it is recommended to consult the German Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA), DGUV publications, or recent legislative discussions, as these sources usually provide the latest on regulatory changes and sector debates.
[1] [Source 1] [2] [Source 2] [3] [Source 3] [4] [Source 4]
- The BDA, while advocating for the simplification of regulations, is also proposing changes in the ladder safety inspection process, which has raised concerns among safety advocates within the industry.
- In the midst of discussions regarding occupational safety and health in Germany, there is a growing push from employers for the streamlining of regulations, particularly in finance and business management, including proposals for reduced documentation requirements and longer inspection intervals.