Fewer accidents at work for employees

Number of accidents at work dropped significantly

07/24/2012

Despite the reduction of occupational accidents to less than 25 per 1,000 employees, the expenses of the statutory accident insurance increase. It is the only social insurance that is borne solely by the employers. Employers' organizations are now calling for a contribution reform.

Despite decreasing accident figures, the contribution rate for statutory accident insurance remains stable
Last year, the number of reported occupational accidents fell by six percent, as the German statutory accident insurance (DGUV) announced on Monday. The ratio fell by a relative comparison - one accident per 1000 full-time employees - from 25.8 to 24.5 accidents and thus almost to the level of 2009 with 24.3 accidents. On the other hand, the number of confirmed occupational diseases has increased.

Nevertheless, the DGUV, in which the joint professional associations and public accident funds are united, spent 11.6 billion euros on rehabilitation, compensation and prevention measures as well as administrative costs. Never before have expenses been reached at this level. One of the reasons lies in the rising cost of care. Employers pay the costs through a levy on the payroll. Currently, the rate is 1.32 percent of the payroll. With the share of public accident insurance in the amount of 1.3 billion euros, the surcharge increased to 11.6 billion euros and thus was cost-covering.

Employers Association calls for reform of the statutory accident insurance
The Federal Association of German Employers' Associations (BDA) calls for a reform of the statutory accident insurance. In 2010, the number of accidents increased, „without the average contribution rate having increased“. Since 1990, the numbers have fallen by about half. This could be more noticeable in the contribution level, according to the BDA. Although the coalition announced a reform, it has not yet implemented it.

The deputy managing director Achim dercks of the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said to the „Frankfurter Allgemeine“, that „swiftly tackle a reform of the benefits side“ should, given the rising expenses of accident insurance. There is a considerable potential for relief. For example, commuting accidents should fall out of the service catalog and be privately secured instead, according to Dercks.

The accident insurance is the only social insurance that is borne solely by the employers. Last year, 10.3 billion euros came together. To determine the contribution rate of a professional association (BG), the accident frequency of the representative industry is used. At the BG Bau this was the highest with 4.04 percent, while the BG for non-governmental institutions in the health service and welfare (BGW) paid the lowest rate with 0.77 percent.

Dr. Joachim Breuer, CEO of DGUV, praised the commitment of employers in terms of occupational safety. „The figures show that not only the economy has a good economy, but also occupational safety ", Breuer explained. „On the one hand, low accident risks are a good prerequisite for keeping the contribution burden of the economy low in the future as well. On the other hand, scientific studies show that companies benefit directly from investments in occupational safety and health, for example through shorter downtimes or fewer accident-related disruptions. "

Over 2,500 deaths due to occupational diseases
Last year, 2,548 people died as a result of an occupational disease. First and foremost, diseases caused by inorganic dusts such as astbestosis led to death. The accident insurance and professional associations decided in 71,738 procedures on the recognition of an occupational disease. A causal connection between work and illness was found in 34,573 insured persons. „As before, most of these cases are skin diseases, "Breuer explained, and these have now become well-treated, with 5,407 people insured for the first time resulting in an occupational disease pension from the statutory accident insurance.

The accident rate of students fell during school attendance by 0.8 percent to 75.8 accidents per 1,000 insured. The number of accidents on the way to school also fell from 7.3 accidents to 6.7 accidents per 1,000 insured. Student accident insurance also provides statutory accident protection for students and children in daycare centers and day care. (Ag)

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Over 1000 people died of asbestos diseases

Picture credits: Dieter Schütz