The Occupational Safety Act (ASiG) obliges companies to set up an occupational safety committee (ASA) in addition to appointing a specialist for occupational safety and a company doctor. Companies with more than 20 employees are required to set up an ASA. The ASA meets at least quarterly and is made up of

• the university management or an authorized representative
• the company doctor and the occupational safety specialist
• 2 members of the staff council
• safety officers and, if necessary
• other experts

The purpose of the ASA is to create a communication network of all relevant occupational health and safety specialists and decision-makers and thus enable a regular exchange on all topics relevant to occupational health and safety. These can be, for example

• Health and safety in the event of new acquisitions or changes to the production process
• Discussion of accidents and occupational illnesses
• Determination of measures based on further findings from occupational health screening
• Planning and discussing the results of measurements
• Informing employees about potential for improvement in the area of health and safety
• and other topics

The aim is to further develop health and safety at work through regular exchanges and, in particular, to eliminate errors in the planning phase.