DGUV Kompakt 05/23

1. Occupational diseases reach record high

The 2022 annual balance sheet of the social accident insurance institutions continues to reflect the impact of the pandemic. The number of occupational diseases is at a record high. Occupational accidents, on the other hand, have come down slightly compared with 2021.

2. “Climate policy must be closely connected with social policy at all times”

The impact of climate change cannot be mastered without a social policy, and this was the issue raised by DGUV Kompakt with Ilka Wölfle, Director of DSV, the European Representation of the German Social Insurance in Brussels.

3. No to violence against firefighters

Volunteer firefighters help people in need, yet violence against them has become an integral part of their daily volunteering experience. A recent survey conducted by the Lower Saxony Accident Insurance Institution for Firefighters shows that 34 per cent of respondents have experienced violence over the past two years.

4. “Firefighters would like to see more support from policymakers”

To combat violence against firefighters, Thomas Wittschurky, German Social Accident Insurance Institution for the Fire Services in Lower Saxony, calls for more respect and support. This was the topic of DGUV Kompakt with him in an interview.

5. Increasing number of commuting accidents on bicycles

The German social accident insurance is concerned about the rise in bicycle accidents. Similarly, there has been a steep increase in accidents involving e-bikes and pedelecs. A DGUV Kompakt chart shows the development over the last ten years.

6. Changes in Chief Editorial Team and Editorial Advisory Board at DGUV Kompakt

On 1 October 2023, Britta Ibald will take over as Director of Corporate Communications at DGUV and will also become Editor-in-Chief of DGUV Kompakt. She will be succeeding Gregor Doepke who is retiring after nearly 30 years at DGUV.