Workplace Ordinance and Technical Rules for Workplaces

Requirements for safety and health protection for employees in workplaces arise in particular from the Workplace Ordinance (ArbStättV), in addition to the State Building Code and any special regulations. This is limited to general requirements and basic regulations with provisions on the objectives of protection.

The Workplace Ordinance is specified in the Technical Rules for Workplaces (Workplace Rules – ASR), which are published by the Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA) and contain concrete measures and implementation aids on the respective topic on how the requirements and protection objectives of the Workplace Ordinance can be implemented. There are workplace rules on the following topics:

• ASR V3 Risk assessment
• ASR V3a.2 Barrier-free design of workplaces
• ASR A1.2 Room dimensions and movement areas
• ASR A1.3 Safety and health signage
• ASR A1.5/1.2 Floors
• ASR A1.6 Windows, skylights, translucent walls
• ASR A1.7 Doors and gates
• ASR A1.8 Traffic routes
• ASR A2.1 Protection against falls and falling objects, entering hazardous areas
• ASR A2.2 Measures against fires
• ASR A2.3 Escape routes and emergency exits, escape and rescue plan
• ASR A3.4 Lighting
• ASR A3.4/3 Safety lighting, optical safety guidance systems
• ASR A3.5 Room temperature
• ASR A3.6 Ventilation
• ASR A4.1 Sanitary rooms
• ASR A4.2 Rest and standby rooms
• ASR A4.3 First aid rooms, means and facilities for first aid
• ASR A4.4 Accommodation

Only the Workplace Ordinance is an introduced law, and thus legally binding. The Technical Rules for Workplaces are not established legal provisions, but are considered to be generally accepted state of the art. Deviations from this can therefore represent an increased liability risk for the planner. The necessary protective measures are determined after a prior risk assessment in accordance with § 3 of the Workplace Ordinance and ASR V3.

Source: bauwion