Industrial protection and industrial safety are very similar-sounding terms. However, in fact, they represent two different concepts - especially from a legal viewpoint. The simplest explanation of the difference is that industrial safety is the objective of industrial protection. Accordingly, industrial protection can be viewed as the measures taken to ensure safe working. Industrial safety is therefore a component of industrial protection.
Industrial protection – definition and laws
Industrial protection is a legally specified measure. It ensures a safe working environment for all people who are working. For this, the respective workplace is subject to detailed investigation in the form of a workplace assessment. Depending on the activity and the local conditions, various measures are defined for protecting the workers. The EU has its own directives in this regard. The specific details are defined in the laws of the individual countries.
- For example, in Austria the ArbeitnehmerInnenschutzgesetz [employee protection law] forms the legal basis. Employers must fulfil the requirements of this law. These include the appointment of safety representatives. They inform, advise, and support their colleagues, and act as representatives with respect to external bodies. Their activity does not does not absolve the employer from his obligations to comply with the protective provisions.
- In Switzerland industrial protection is governed by the Employment Law, article 6 and by ArGV 3 Art. 2: Principles. Here, incidentally, the term “health protection” is used rather than “industrial protection”.
- In Germany the Arbeitsschutzgesetz - ArbSchG [industrial protection law] applies. In contrast to practice in Austria, there is no safety representative here. However, in both countries there is an obligation to provide all employees with appropriate instructions and training relating to industrial protection.
Technical industrial protection in Germany
The term “technical industrial protection” exists in Germany. This is understood as “all areas which affect the safety of workers when working”, according to the Bundesanstalt für Arbeitsschutz und Arbeitsmedizin [German Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health].The industrial protection law forms part of technical industrial protection, as do further rules and regulations. In the area of fall protection, in the Technische Regeln für Arbeitsstätten (ASR) [technical rules for workplaces], ASR A2.1 (Schutz vor Absturz und herabfallenden Gegenständen, Betreten von Gefahrenbereichen [protection from falls and falling objects, accessing danger areas]) is of particular importance.
In Germany distinctions are made between general, technical, social, and medical industrial protection.
Industrial protection in fall-risk areas
In contrast to an everyday office workplace, more risks will be recorded in fall-risk areas. A risk assessment provides clarification about these.It indicates the risks which are present, and how they can be eliminated or reduced. These are performed on the basis of the STOP principle. Collective protection - i.e. the protection of ALL persons in the respective area of risk - is the “safer” variant. However, this is not suitable for all working situations. In these cases, individual protection should be provided. In terms of fall protection systems, the bandwidth of industrial protection extends over these types:
- Guardrail systems on flat roofs, in industrial environments, for escape routes, etc.
- Window protection e.g. for cleaning tasks or on a construction site
- Skylight protection for example on industrial halls or subterranean garages
- Single attachment points for roofs, facades, pylons, etc.
- Lifeline systems, which ensure continuous safety for a wide range of application areas
- Rail systems, which provide reliable safety for transitions, slopes, or curves
- Temporary protection systems e.g. for short-term installation or servicing activities, after which the protection can be removed again
- Personal protective equipment (PPE), which has to be combined with lifeline and rail systems, for example
Ensuring industrial safety in a workplace is easier than you may think
Not everyone needs to involve themselves intensively with industrial protection and the resulting industrial safety. Above all, owners of new start-ups are confronted with various laws and regulations. Obtaining the corresponding knowledge can be very demanding. This makes it all the more important to rely on professional sources and partners.
- In Austria the Labour Inspectorates are responsible for the inspection of industrial protection. Your responsible Labour Inspectorate will help you if you have specific questions. This is a link to a location and contact search for the respective Labour Inspectorates in Austria.
- In Switzerland the Eidgenössische Koordinationskommission für Arbeitssicherheit [Swiss co-ordinating committee for industrial safety], EKAS for short, is responsible. Online, they have a page about “Grundwissen (Basics)(Basics) in Arbeitssicherheit und Gesundheitsschutz [Basics of industrial and occupational safety]”. Training sessions provide you with the necessary specialist knowledge.
- In Germany on the website of the “Gemeinsame Deutsche Arbeitsschutzstrategie” [Common German Health and Safety Strategy] you will find information about “Handlungshilfen und Empfehlungen für den betrieblichen Arbeitsschutz [Action guidelines and recommendations for industrial protection]”. “Leitlinien für das Aufsichtspersonal für das Aufsichtspersonal [Guidelines for supervisory personnel]” are also available. There are also informational events, seminars, as well as site visits and consultation sessions - find out more at the GDA work programmes.
Despite largely similar understandings of industrial protection and industrial safety in general, the requirements and information in the DACH region alone differ greatly. On addition to the legal contact points and training sessions, it is recommended to put your trust in manufacturers and products whose quality exceeds basic legal requirements. A high degree of quality consciousness, many years of practical knowledge and experience in implementing the regulations form the best guarantee for industrial safety.
