Company doctor (Betriebsarzt)
Also: Betriebsarzt, Betriebsärztin, occupational physician, occupational health physician
Definition
Company doctors advise the employer on occupational medicine, carry out occupational health checks and contribute to the risk assessment, workplace design and return-to-work management. Appointing one is mandatory in Germany under the Occupational Safety Act.
Company doctors hold the specialist title in occupational medicine or the additional qualification in company medicine. Their tasks are set out in Section 3 of the Occupational Safety Act; the scope of support follows from DGUV Regulation 2. They are bound by medical confidentiality – after a health check, the employer only learns that it took place, not the result.
Typical topics: health checks under ArbMedVV, vaccination offers, ergonomics, maternity protection, mental workload, occupational integration management (BEM) and first aid.
Legal basis
- Sections 2–4 of the Occupational Safety Act (ASiG)
- DGUV Regulation 2
- ArbMedVV
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Related terms
This glossary entry gives a general overview of German occupational safety law and does not replace legal advice. The regulations in force and the rules of the statutory accident insurance institutions are authoritative.
