Violence in Healthcare Tops Agenda as Germany Revamps Workplace Safety Rules

A symposium at the 19th Pflegetag des Westens in Cologne on June 11 will tackle a growing crisis that has long simmered beneath the surface: sexual harassment and physical aggression against healthcare workers. Organised by the Berufsgenossenschaft für Gesundheitsdienst und Wohlfahrtspflege (BGW) in partnership with the Medical School Hamburg, the event is part of a newly launched study aimed at uncovering the true scale of workplace violence in the sector. Experts plan to discuss how employers can move beyond isolated measures toward a comprehensive cultural shift.

The debate over safety in German workplaces sharpened at the end of May, when new thresholds for mandatory safety officers took effect. Under revised §22 of the Social Code (SGB VII), businesses with 20 to 49 employees are now required to appoint a safety officer only if a concrete hazard exists. The change, passed by the Bundestag on March 26 and enacted on May 29, was designed to reduce bureaucracy and give smaller firms more flexibility. Medium-sized companies with 50 to 249 employees remain obliged to designate at least one safety specialist. For enterprises with 250 or more staff, the exact number of safety officers is determined by the criteria laid out in DGUV Vorschrift 1.

With these new safety officer thresholds in place, keeping your risk assessments thorough and up to date is more important than ever. A free Risk Assessment Toolkit provides 41 ready-to-use templates and checklists covering fire safety, manual handling, lone working and more — helping you document hazards efficiently and stay compliant. Download the free Risk Assessment Toolkit

Digital threats are reshaping the security landscape just as fast. At the “State of Security” conference in Berlin in early June, experts warned that artificial intelligence is fueling a sharp rise in cybercrime. Combined with the new EU directive NIS2, liability is shifting squarely onto management. Personal legal exposure, they cautioned, is no longer a theoretical risk.

Physical protection, particularly for lone workers, continues to rely on technical solutions. Almas Industries recently underscored the importance of emergency-call devices such as SafeClip and SafeWatch. These tools meet the requirements of DGUV Regulation 112-139 for hazardous solitary work.

Beyond the immediate workplace, victim protection is gaining ground. Switzerland’s National Council has passed a reform of the Victim Assistance Act that will require cantons to provide sufficient women’s shelter places and access to forensic nurses. These specially trained professionals can secure evidence without the victim having to file a police report immediately. In Germany, the Weyher Swimming Club is drafting a new code of conduct as part of a nationwide sports initiative against sexualised violence. Counselling centres such as Pro Familia in Marburg offer programmes for adults and adolescents who have committed boundary violations.

The economics of occupational health management make a compelling case for investment. According to figures from the BKK Dachverband, every euro spent on workplace health management (BGM) yields an average return of €2.70. Training provides an even sharper illustration: the Federal Institute for Vocational Education (BIBB) puts the cost of a single apprenticeship dropout at roughly €6,478. Health insurers are obligated under §20 SGB V to support corporate health initiatives.

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