Arbeitsschutz in der Praxis

Occupational safety means employee protection. Employers in Germany are legally obliged to protect their employees from health hazards and accidents at work.

The most important German law for occupational health and safety is the Occupational Health and Safety Act (ArbSchG). It contains general regulations for the health protection of employees. The Occupational Safety Act also regulates the role of company doctors and occupational safety specialists. There are also various ordinances such as the Ordinance on Industrial Safety and Health and the Ordinance on Hazardous Substances.

According to § 5 para. 3 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act, special hazards in the workplace are defined, some of which also apply to medical practices. In particular, the risk of skin diseases and the increased risk of infection must be pointed out again here. When handling certain medicines, protective measures may be required in accordance with the Hazardous Substances Ordinance.

Risk assessment is the central element of occupational health and safety in medical practices. It is laid down in § 5 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and, if carefully documented, serves as a basis for decisions on the occupational health and safety measures to be taken in the practice.

The implementation of comprehensive occupational safety measures in medical practices serves to minimize work-related health risks in accordance with legal requirements and to prevent accidents in the workplace. In addition, this measure allows employers to demonstrate their sense of responsibility and promotes the performance and motivation of their team. Effective implementation of occupational safety in medical practices requires, in particular, the identification of potential sources of danger and the development and implementation of effective countermeasures.

Since every medical practice is structured individually, risk assessments vary from practice to practice. Nevertheless, three common hazards can be identified that are relevant to general occupational safety in medical practices: infections, skin diseases, and occupational accidents. Protection against infections Employees in medical practices are exposed to an increased risk of infection. In particular, needle stick injuries from contaminated needles or syringes are considered the main cause of infection with pathogens such as HIV, hepatitis B, or C. The safe disposal of needles in puncture-proof and break-proof containers is therefore of great importance. Compliance with appropriate hygiene rules and vaccinations against common infectious diseases are also part of occupational safety in medical practices.

Skin protection
The skin of practice staff is subjected to considerable stress during the working day. Regular hand washing, wearing gloves, and contact with chemical substances can lead to irritation and redness. To relieve the skin and ensure occupational safety, disinfectants with moisturizing agents should be used and hands should be creamed regularly. In addition, breaks or activities without gloves can be planned to allow the skin to recover. Accident prevention
Accidents caused by twisting your ankle, tripping, slipping, or falling are also possible in healthcare facilities. Accident prevention is therefore a key component of occupational safety in medical practices. Risks can be minimized by immediately wiping up wet spots on the floor and removing obstacles such as boxes or cartons to keep passageways clear.

Occupational safety in medical practices encompasses fundamental measures: - Occupational health and safety support - Conducting a risk assessment and defining protective measures - Creating operating instructions - Regular training of employees (at least once a year, confirmed in writing)

Occupational health care.

Documentation of the use of hazardous substances.

Provision of personal protective equipment (PPE) and injury-proof instruments.

Creation of an internal hygiene plan for the practice.

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Act (ArbschG), responsibility for occupational health and safety in medical practices lies with the practice owner. If there are more than 20 employees, it is mandatory to appoint a safety officer. This person is responsible for monitoring and improving occupational health and safety.

Government inspections of medical practices are steadily increasing. If legal occupational safety regulations are not adequately implemented in practice, practice owners face severe penalties. Depending on the severity of the deficiencies identified, the consequences range from restrictions and fines to immediate suspension of practice activities.

Depending on the federal state, various authorities and institutions such as the health department, the state office, or the public health service are responsible for the inspections. The inspections are usually announced in advance so that appropriate preparations can be made.