German Workplaces Face Triple Threat: Heat Mandates, Mental Health Crisis, and New Ergonomics Rules
Published on 06/25/2026 at 01:31 | Redaktion boerse-global.de
Mental disorders now account for 42 percent of all early-retirement claims in Germany, according to data presented at the 11th Prevention Forum in Berlin yesterday. That figure dwarfs all other causes of workplace-related incapacity, with psychological conditions responsible for 16.7 percent of all sick-leave days in 2024. Experts at the forum warned that digitalisation-driven "technostress," along with bullying and workplace violence, are driving the trend.
The stark numbers come as the German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV) releases a major update to its sector-specific rule 115-401 for office environments. The revised framework, which replaces an earlier version, integrates new legal requirements such as the workplace regulation ASR A6 on screen-based work. Employers are now expected to assess risks holistically—not just physical ergonomics, but also room climate and psychological strain.
Keeping up with holistic risk assessments doesn't have to be complicated. A free toolkit provides 41 ready-to-use templates covering everything from fire safety to lone working, helping you document hazards compliantly. Join over 37,000 UK businesses already using it. Download the free Risk Assessment Toolkit
Ergonomics itself is taking on renewed urgency. Poorly configured workstations, the DGUV warns, can cause long-term health damage. This issue has already spilled into schools. On 26 May, a parents’ council at a Gymnasium in Saarbrücken demanded a formal risk assessment for tablet use in classrooms, citing small displays, a lack of external input devices, and the risk of postural damage. The responsible regional authority rejected the request. The DGUV, however, recommends that risk assessments should also cover school workplaces.
Heat protection is another pressing obligation. The DGB Düsseldorf-Bergisch Land reminded employers yesterday of their legal duties as temperatures climb. At 26 degrees Celsius, preventive steps such as shading or providing drinking water become necessary. At 30 degrees, the employer is legally required to act. Rooms exceeding 35 degrees are considered unfit for work without protective measures. Workers may not leave their posts on their own initiative; doing so can carry employment-law consequences.
On a parallel track, a provisional European-level agreement was reached yesterday on the sixth revision of the directive on carcinogenic substances. New limit values for cobalt, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and welding fumes aim to prevent roughly 1,700 lung cancer cases and 19,000 additional illnesses over the next 40 years.
New limits for carcinogens mean employers need to reassess chemical risks in the workplace. A free COSHH toolkit provides 43 customizable templates for assessing hazardous substances, keeping you compliant with UK regulations. Over 37,000 UK companies already use it. Get the free COSHH Toolkit
Lone work also drew attention. Yesterday, Almas Industries stressed that hazardous solo tasks must be secured using personal emergency signal systems (PNA) with man-down alarm functions, as stipulated by DGUV rule 112-139. Such devices ensure that help is automatically alerted in the event of an accident or medical emergency.
For specialised trades, risk assessments remain the legal foundation for safety investments. Krause, a manufacturer of access technology, noted yesterday that equipment such as roof work platforms and maintenance scaffolding must be planned in accordance with the BetrSichV (Ordinance on Industrial Safety and Health) and technical rule TRBS 2121.
To support smaller firms, the Berufsgenossenschaft Holz und Metall (BGHM) is offering a free basic seminar on performing legally compliant risk assessments on 1 July in Saarbrücken. The event targets companies with up to 50 employees, with additional dates scheduled throughout the second half of the year.
Disclaimer regarding our articles: No investment advice, no buy or sell recommendation. Information on prices, companies, and markets is provided without guarantee; changes are possible at any time. Stock market transactions can lead to substantial losses. Our articles are created and reviewed in whole or in part automatically with the support of AI.
