GB Psych Obligation Checker: Am I required to conduct a psychological risk assessment?
Answer 7 questions – in 2 minutes you will know exactly where you stand and what action is required.
7 questions · approx. 2 minutes · completely free
What is the GB Psych Obligation Checker?
The GB Psych Obligation Checker is a free interactive tool for employers in Germany. It guides you through the key legal requirements of the Arbeitsschutzgesetz (ArbSchG) and tells you within minutes whether you are fully compliant, whether you have identified gaps, or whether there is an urgent need for action. The result includes specific legal references and concrete next steps.
Since 2013 psychological stress has been explicitly required under §5 Para. 3 No. 6 ArbSchG. Despite this, surveys show that more than 60% of companies in Germany still have not conducted a legally compliant psychological risk assessment. Fines of up to €30,000 per violation can be imposed.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who is legally obliged to carry out a psychological risk assessment?
- Every employer who employs at least one employee in Germany is obliged to carry out a risk assessment under §5 ArbSchG. This includes the assessment of psychological stress (§5 Para. 3 No. 6 ArbSchG). There are no exceptions by company size or industry.
- What fines apply if the risk assessment is missing?
- Under §25 ArbSchG, fines of up to €30,000 can be imposed per individual violation. In addition, enforcement authorities can issue enforcement orders which must be complied with immediately. Repeated violations can also result in criminal proceedings.
- How often must the psychological risk assessment be repeated?
- The law prescribes no fixed interval, but §3 ArbSchG requires keeping the assessment up to date. In practice every 3–5 years is recommended, as well as an immediate review after significant changes to working conditions, restructuring or changes in headcount.
- What does "psychological stress" mean in the context of §5 ArbSchG?
- Psychological stress refers to all influences from work that affect the mental state of employees. This includes work volume and time pressure, shift work, emotional demands, scope for action, social relations and the physical work environment. The GDA guidelines describe six design areas that must be covered.
- What is the difference between a risk assessment and a health survey?
- A risk assessment is a legally mandatory analysis of work-related hazards at workplace level – it examines conditions, not individuals. A health survey (Mitarbeiterbefragung) can be a method for collecting data, but the risk assessment also includes deriving measures and documenting the results. SafeMind combines both in a legally compliant process.
Ready to make your company compliant?
SafeMind guides you through the entire process of the psychological risk assessment – from anonymous employee survey to the legally compliant PDF report.
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