48 Fall Deaths in German Workplaces Last Year – Over 70% Tied to Safety Rule Breaches
Published on 07/02/2026 at 06:25 | Redaktion boerse-global.de
In a striking finding from Germany’s federal occupational safety agency, nearly one in four fatal fall accidents in 2023 occurred at workplaces where no formal risk assessment had been carried out. The Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA) recorded 36,051 falls in the commercial sector last year. Of those, 2,083 led to pension payments for injured workers, and 48 ended in death.
Half of the fatal incidents happened from a height of less than five metres. Investigators discovered violations of current safety regulations in more than 70 percent of all fatal cases, the BAuA report added.
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The legal responsibilities for preventing such accidents are extensive. Employers must comply with the German Occupational Safety and Health Act (ArbSchG), the Ordinance on Industrial Safety and Health (BetrSichV), the Personal Protective Equipment Use Ordinance (PSA-BV), and the Technical Rules for Operational Safety (TRBS 2121). Supplementary rules include the DGUV Regulations 112-198 and 112-199, as well as EU Regulation 2016/425.
Under this framework, the employer is required not only to provide personal protective equipment against falls (PSAgA) but also to arrange periodic inspections and instruct workers on its correct use. Service providers such as TÜV AUSTRIA offer dedicated training programmes that mix theoretical foundations with practical exercises, including how to properly fasten harnesses and draw up rescue plans – because minutes matter after a fall.
On the equipment side, certified components such as full-body harnesses meeting DIN EN 361:2002 are standard. Models like the AX 20 C, rated for loads up to 140 kilograms, feature specific attachment points on the shoulders and chest. Under the PSA-BV and DGUV rules, this gear must be inspected annually by a qualified person. The same systems are used in specialist areas like elevator maintenance, where workers secure themselves inside service lifts.
Another key element is the medical fitness of employees who work at height. That is determined through the so-called G41 occupational health examination. If a worker does not pass the exam, the employer must adjust their duties and reassess protective measures and rescue procedures on an individual basis. Companies are obliged to document the status of these examinations and any resulting actions, though medical details may not be stored on site.
On the international front, occupational safety standards are evolving. A draft version of the revised ISO 45001 standard – designated ISO/DIS 45001:2026 – has been published. The update will put greater emphasis on organisational resilience, safety culture, and new forms of work. Training bodies such as Quality Austria are already preparing update courses to help companies adapt their occupational health and safety management systems to the forthcoming requirements.
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