Suddenly boss - and what about occupational health and safety?
Anyone who takes on a management role is suddenly confronted with several tasks. These usually also include additional tasks in occupational health and safety. Inexperienced managers should make sure their new responsibilities are well covered in their employment contracts.
Anyone taking on a management position for the first time may suddenly be confronted with additional management tasks in occupational health and safety. This is because companies usually delegate the relevant responsibilities and duties to their managers. In many cases, however, the duties relating to occupational health and safety are passed on hidden in the employment contract. The prescribed written form is usually maintained, but this is not ideal, according to Sieglinde Ludwig, an occupational safety expert at the German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV). in a communication Cited.
According to the head of the "Health in the Workplace" department, "For reasons of transparency, companies should regulate the duties of managers in writing, regardless of the contract." It is best, she says, if these are already included in the job advertisement.
These tasks include the risk assessment of physical and mental hazards and the protective measures to be taken. Managers must also inform employees about these hazards and instruct them in the safe use of work equipment and work processes. In addition, companies should offer their managers advanced training courses at an early stage. In these courses, junior managers should learn how occupational health and safety works and how to carry out a risk assessment.
Source: DGUV/Editorial Office
