KANBrief 1/12
If standardization results in attention being paid to safety and ergonomics whilst work equipment is still at the design stage, many risks can be averted from the outset. This not only saves considerable macroeconomic and business costs, but also reduces human suffering. The involvement by representatives of the accident insurance institutions in standardization therefore constitutes an important prevention instrument.
As set out in DGUV Principle 401, the task of representing the German Social Accident Insurance institutions in technical issues within standardization is assumed by the divisions and subdivisions recently created from the former DGUV expert committees. The 15 new divisions comprise representatives of various accident insurance institutions, the social partners, the state, and further stakeholders. Their task involves strategic technical policy and co-ordination work. Each division is supported by a secretariat. Together, the divisions cover the full breadth of trade and industry, companies, administrations and educational institutions. The divisions are in turn responsible for around 100 subdivisions. These are tasked with technical prevention work and are primarily staffed by labour inspectors and other prevention specialists. Their function is that of observing and evaluating developments in the area of occupational safety and health, compiling technical expertise to form a collective expert opinion, developing prevention measures and draft rules and regulations of the German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV), fielding enquiries, and representing the DGUV's interests in state and standards committees.
Representation of the German Social Accident Insurance institutions on DIN standards and steering committees and in the German delegations to European and international standards projects has been formally agreed between the DGUV and DIN. In 2010, almost 500 experts from the German Social Accident Insurance institutions were involved on over 1,300 committees in the development of standards with a bearing upon safety. Of these experts, 110 had a senior function at European or international level.
Owing to their tasks as inspectors and their consultancy activity among the member companies, the experts of the accident insurance institutions possess considerable practical knowledge and experience. They apply this effectively in the sphere of standardization in the interests of occupational safety and health and the observance of national aspects. The DGUV supports its staff by providing seminars on standardization work and specialist events for the pooling of information, particularly with colleagues working on state OSH committees (the committees for biological agents (ABAS), industrial safety and health (ABS), occupational medicine (AfAMed), hazardous substances (AGS) and work premises (ASTA)).
New standards topics and products
Issues such as social services and health management are increasingly being made the subject of standardization. In the light of this, it is important that developments be continually monitored and trends identified at an early stage. Since government bodies also use standardization as a strategic instrument, care must also be taken to prevent it from encroaching upon areas which should remain the preserve of state regulations or those of the DGUV.
Owing to the broad consensus between their stakeholders, standards are considered "accepted good practice" and enjoy wide social acceptance. By contrast, specifications introduced by the standards institutes in the form of supplementary standardization products would not appear to be a suitable means of regulating safety aspects. This is due to the procedures for their development, which are generally accelerated and do not involve the OSH lobby. Since a consensus need not necessarily be reached, a risk exists of particular interest groups exerting undue influence upon standardization through these documents.
During the formulation of comments and networking with experts from other countries in order to present OSH interests collectively, the German Social Accident Insurance institutions and KAN frequently work closely together. Changes in European standardization policy are also monitored closely by the DGUV in close consultation with KAN.
Siegfried Turowski
siegfried.turowski@dguv.de