After Worker Injury in Raubling, German Employers Face Tight Deadlines for Ladder Inspections and Health-Card Security Updates

A 600-kilogram steel staircase collapsed onto two construction workers in Raubling, Upper Bavaria, on June 26, leaving a 34-year-old and a 38-year-old with severe injuries. Rescue helicopters rushed both men to hospitals as investigators worked to determine the cause. The incident underscores the stakes behind Germany’s mandatory ladder and step-stool inspection regime — a set of rules that employers must follow under the BetrSichV (Occupational Health and Safety Ordinance) and DGUV Information 208-016.

The legal obligation sits squarely with the employer. They can assign qualified in-house personnel or hire specialist firms such as the BPS Brinkmann Prüf-Service, which conducts on-site checks in cities like Oldenburg and Bremen, eliminating the need to transport equipment and disrupt workflows.

Inspection intervals and what gets checked

At minimum, ladders and steps must be inspected every twelve months. For heavy-duty use in construction or industrial settings, where conditions are tougher, the interval shortens to six months. During an inspection, testers examine all safety-critical components: the stability of side rails and rungs, the condition of joints and spreader locks, and the slip resistance of ladder feet. A documented protocol and a visible inspection sticker serve as proof for professional associations and regulatory authorities.

Thorough inspections are only as good as the paperwork behind them. Many employers underestimate how easily a missing risk assessment can turn into a compliance gap — especially when regulators come knocking. A free toolkit gives you 41 ready-to-use templates and checklists covering everything from lone working to fire safety, so you can document risks without starting from scratch. Download the free Risk Assessment Toolkit

Broader regulatory updates coming into force

The German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV) is also rolling out changes. New sector-specific rules now apply to electroplating and wet-chemical surface treatment — DGUV Rule 109-602 and Information 209-009. Meanwhile, the Berufsgenossenschaft Energie Textil Elektro Medienerzeugnisse (BG ETEM) passed a new risk tariff on June 26 that takes effect on January 1, 2027. It consolidates categories in electrical installation and textile services. Companies that have been members for at least three years will receive an 18-percent contribution discount.

Digital tools are entering the workplace-safety landscape. Veeva Systems has announced a new EHS application for August 2026, designed to help firms proactively manage risks and automate incident documentation through streamlined workflows.

A separate deadline: IT security in healthcare

June 30 marks the end of the transition period for RSA security certificates used on electronic health professional cards (eHBA). From July 1, new ECC certificates become mandatory for many applications — a reminder that workplace safety now spans both physical ladders and digital infrastructure.

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