German Accident Prevention Regulations UVV DGUV: A Comprehensive Guide

The accident prevention regulations (UVV) are an indispensable set of rules for occupational safety and health protection in companies. Injuries and occupational illnesses can cause considerable costs and loss of production, which is why the UVV regulations of the German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV) are binding for companies.

These guidelines cover topics such as UVV instruction obligations, vehicle inspections and documentation requirements in order to prevent accidents at work and protect employees. The guide explains the importance of the UVV, their legal basis and practical implementation steps for companies.

Definition and legal basis of the UVV

The DGUV regulations (accident prevention regulations) are legally binding standards issued by the accident insurance institutions in accordance with § 15 SGB VII (Social Code VII). They are developed in the DGUV's specialist departments with the involvement of the DGUV  and serve to fulfill the prevention mandate in accordance with § 14 SGB VII.

Since 1997, the legal basis for the accident insurance institutions has been regulated in the Seventh Book of the Social Code (SGB VII), previously in the Reich Insurance Code (RVO) :

Other important laws and regulations in the area of occupational safety and prevention are:

• Occupational Health and Safety Act
• Occupational Safety Act
• Workplace Ordinance
• Hazardous Substances Ordinance
• Equipment Safety Act

The DGUV regulations and rules define ways to prevent occupational accidents, occupational diseases and work-related health hazards. The DGUV rules specify the content of national occupational health and safety regulations, laws, ordinances and technical specifications. The DGUV industry rules summarize the existing complex occupational health and safety regulations, especially for companies and educational institutions in a specific industry .

UVV instruction obligation for vehicle drivers

The UVV instruction obligation for vehicle drivers is an essential component of occupational safety and health protection in the company. According to the DGUV regulations, employers must regularly instruct their employees who drive vehicles as part of their work. These instructions serve to inform employees about possible dangers and safety measures when handling vehicles and thus prevent accidents.

The instructions must cover the following aspects

Operating instructions for the safe operation of vehicles
Rules of conduct for the safe handling of vehicles
Information on the personal protective equipment required when using vehicles 
Instructions on what to do in the event of incidents, accidents or near misses

The instructions must take place before starting work and when there are changes to the work task, the work equipment or the working environment. In addition, regular instructions are required at appropriate intervals in order to refresh employees' knowledge.

Documentation of the training provided is also mandatory. Employers must keep records of the content, participants and date of the training in order to be able to prove compliance with the UVV regulations in the event of an accident or inspection.

UVV inspection of vehicles

The regular inspection of vehicles is an essential part of the accident prevention regulations (UVV) of the DGUV. Employers must ensure that the vehicles used by their employees are properly maintained and in a safe operating condition. This includes the following checks:

Pre-use inspection: before a vehicle is used for the first time, an inspection must be carried out by an expert to ensure operational safety.

Regular inspections: Vehicles must undergo a periodic inspection at specified intervals in order to detect defects and wear at an early stage. The inspection intervals depend on the type of vehicle and the operating conditions.

Extraordinary inspections: After special events such as accidents, natural phenomena or extended periods of downtime, extraordinary inspections are required to check vehicle safety.

The tests must be carried out by qualified persons who have the necessary knowledge and skills. The results of the inspections must be documented and any defects found must be rectified immediately. 

Documentation of UVV measures

Proper documentation of all measures to comply with accident prevention regulations (UVV) is crucial for companies. Here are some important aspects:

• Instruction records: Employers must keep records of instruction given, including content, attendees and date. This serves as proof that employees have been properly trained.
• Inspection records: The results of vehicle inspections must be documented. This includes test reports before commissioning, regular tests and extraordinary tests after special events.
• Defect documentation: Any defects found on vehicles or work equipment must be recorded in writing, as must the measures taken to rectify the defects.
• Retention periods: The documentation must be retained for a certain period of time so that it can be used as evidence in the event of accidents, audits or official inspections.
• Digital documentation: Many companies now rely on digital solutions for documenting accident prevention measures, as these are more efficient and clearer than paper-based systems.
• Careful documentation is not only required by law, but also serves the continuous improvement process in the area of occupational safety. Complete documentation makes it possible to identify weak points and adapt prevention measures in a targeted manner.

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FAQs

What is the difference between the terms DGUV and UVV? The terms DGUV and UVV both refer to the same set of regulations. UVV stands for accident prevention regulation and describes the type of regulation. DGUV regulations are the specific documents in which the accident prevention regulations are laid down.

Which accident prevention regulations must be observed? The following regulations in particular must be observed: Vehicles are considered work equipment and employers are obliged to instruct their employees in the use of this work equipment. Before a vehicle is used for the first time, specific instruction must be given for the vehicle in question.

Who are the DGUV accident prevention regulations aimed at? The accident prevention regulations (UVV) are binding requirements for occupational safety and health protection in the workplace. They apply to all companies and insured persons covered by statutory accident insurance.

What is a DGUV principle? A DGUV principle defines standards for certain procedural issues, such as the performance of inspections. One example is DGUV Principle 308-006 "Test book for power-operated doors", which, however, no longer corresponds to the current status and is considered outdated.

Reference

[1] - https://www.dguv.de/de/praevention/vorschriften_regeln/vorschriften/index.jsp
[2] - https://www.dguv.de/de/versicherung/gesetz_grundlage/index.jsp
[3] - https://www.dguv.de/de/praevention/vorschriften_regeln/regeln_infos/index.jsp
[4] - https://www.drivers-check.de/blog/was-sind-die-uvv-alle-grundlagen-im-ueberblick/