Working Safely in Times of Corona – New Health and Safety Protection Rule in Place

On 16 April 2020, German minister for labour and social affairs Hubertus Heil presented the brand-new “SARS-CoV-2 Occupational Safety and Health Standard” which established national basic rules in addition to existing health and safety protection regulation. On 10 August 2020, the more mandatory “SARS-CoV-2 Occupational Safety and Health Rule” was published by the Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA) in consultation with the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (BMAS). It came into effect on 20 August 2020. Companies implementing the technical, organizational and personal safety measures proposed by the SARS-CoV-2 Rule can be certain to comply with the law.

At Jola, we promptly examined the content of the document in cosultation with company doctor Dr. Gabriele Magerl (Kompetenzzentrum für Arbeitsmedizin und Arbeitsrecht Rhein-Neckar) and occupational safety specialist Michael Rink (Technische Überwachung Rink GmbH). During the inaugural visit of Mr. Marco Hartmann, who is in charge of our prudential supervision, we discussed our implemented and planned measures with our accident insurer BG ETEM in the presence of Jola’s safety officer Martin Anton. The respective operating instructions have been updated and our employees have been informed.

Managing director Lars Mattil voiced his satisfaction: „After many discussions and countless adjustments to the documents, we managed to take only one really new measure – and that even before the rule came into effect! Let’s hope that a summer without ventilators won’t be unbearable for our employees. In the case of a heat wave, there should at least be enough free beverages in the house…“