German Workplace Safety Gets Digital Overhaul: Remote Medical Consultations Now Permitted Under New Rules
Published on 06/19/2026 at 09:03 | Redaktion boerse-global.de
Germany’s statutory accident insurance system has undergone its most significant reform in years, with changes that allow companies to shift up to one-third of mandatory occupational health and safety services to digital formats. A revision of DGUV Vorschrift 2, which took effect at the start of 2026, raised the threshold for simplified care and the competence-centre model from 10 to 20 employees, freeing thousands of small businesses from bureaucratic obligations.
Under the updated regulation, company doctors and safety specialists can now conduct consultations by telephone or online, provided they are already familiar with the workplace conditions. In exceptional cases, the share of digital hours may reach 50 percent. The qualification profile for safety professionals has also widened: alongside engineers and technicians, graduates in physics, chemistry, biology, human medicine, ergonomics, and occupational psychology are now eligible. Both company doctors and safety specialists must present proof of continuing education.
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Aviation Safety Standard Replaced After 34 Years
In a parallel move, the German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV) issued rule 114-607 in mid-June 2026, governing workplace safety during aircraft maintenance. It replaces the 34-year-old predecessor rule 114-007, bringing the sector in line with current technical standards. The update is part of a broader package of publications that includes strategies for implementing the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities through 2035, practical guides on hearing protection, and recommendations for diesel exhaust management in fire-station parking areas. New focus areas cover heart health among firefighters and skin protection at work. The annual reports on occupational health and the Institute for Occupational Safety (IFA) for 2025 were also released.
The Price of Absenteeism: €85 Billion in Lost Output
The Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA) published the first part of a new handbook on risk assessment in May 2026. Based on the 1996 Occupational Safety Act, the guide underscores the economic dimension of workplace safety. According to BAuA data, work-related incapacity in 2018 caused roughly €85 billion in lost production across the German economy. That same year, authorities recorded 949,309 workplace accidents, 541 of which were fatal. The handbook is designed to help employers tailor inspection intervals and methods to actual hazards rather than applying blanket rules.
Electrical safety remains a key concern. Updated guidance stresses the tight link between the Industrial Safety Regulation (BetrSichV) and DGUV Vorschrift 3. While DGUV values provide orientation, companies must determine specific testing intervals for portable devices and fixed installations on their own. All inspections — including visual checks and electrical measurements — must be carried out by qualified electricians.
Digital Training Gets the Green Light — With Conditions
For small and medium-sized enterprises, online safety briefings are gaining traction. DGUV Information 211-005 now recognises them as part of blended learning, subject to three conditions: the content must relate directly to the workplace, include a comprehension check, and designate a contact person for questions. However, hands-on instruction on site remains mandatory for personal protective equipment and hazardous substances handling.
Blind-Spot Warning and a Court Clarification
Ahead of Road Safety Day on 20 June, the DGUV warned about the persistent danger of truck blind spots. Sabine Bünger, head of the DGUV’s traffic safety unit, said: “The risk remains despite modern technology.” She urged special attention for children on their way to school, who need to be taught to keep their distance from turning vehicles.
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In the legal arena, the Federal Labour Court (BAG) clarified dismissal protection during parental leave in a June 2026 ruling. The court held that the anticipatory protection applies before each segment of a split parental leave period, even if the segments were applied for in a single letter. Separately, BDA President Dr. Rainer Dulger criticised the government’s draft amendments to the Working Hours Act on 18 June 2026, arguing that the current plans endanger flexible scheduling arrangements.
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