Topics

For safe and healthy working conditions

It is not the responsibility of humans to adapt to work; rather, work must correspond to their needs, requirements and interests. Ensuring that work is designed according to the needs of humans is the central objective of the Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA).

Working conditions that are adapted to the needs of humans are characterised by adherence to the following scientifically sound and established criteria.

Harmlessness: the entire working environment, including the work equipment, is such that accidents or other direct harm to health can be largely ruled out.
Practicability: workplaces and work tasks are adapted not only to human capabilities, such as physical strength, but also to the capacity for mental processing.
Freedom of impairment: the work can be performed without limitations on well-being and health, even for a prolonged period.
Promotion of health and personality: work provides workers with opportunities to develop their physical, social and personal skills.

Based on these criteria, BAuA structures its activities and the information it provides into the following four topic areas:

Ensuring safe use of chemicals and products
Adapting working conditions to the needs of humans
Avoidance of work-related diseases - promotion of health and working capacity
Understanding the impact of a changing working world and developing further occupational safety and health instruments