The Advisory Mandate of the Sifa (FaSi)
The Sifa – officially "Fachkraft für Arbeitssicherheit" (occupational safety specialist), often abbreviated as FaSi – must advise and support the employer on all occupational safety matters under the Occupational Safety Act (ASiG). Psychological risk assessment is a central component of this advisory mandate.
§ 6 ASiG – Tasks
The Sifa must advise the employer on:
- Planning, execution and maintenance of facilities
- Procurement of technical equipment
- Introduction of work procedures and substances
- The assessment of working conditions
Risk assessment – including psychological stress – clearly falls under this mandate.
Specific Tasks of the Sifa in Psychological Risk Assessment
1. Method Consultation
- Recommend suitable assessment instruments
- Explain advantages and disadvantages of various methods
- Assess practicality for the company
2. Process Coordination
- Project planning and time management
- Coordination between stakeholders
- Documentation and follow-up
3. Analysis and Evaluation
- Interpret results
- Identify critical areas
- Recognize correlations
4. Measure Development
- Develop measure proposals
- Prioritization according to TOP principle
- Check feasibility
5. Quality Assurance
- Monitor effectiveness of measures
- Initiate regular updates
- Check documentation for completeness
Limitations of Sifa Competence
Psychological stress is a complex topic. Not every Sifa has deep expertise here:
What the Sifa Can Provide
- Process coordination
- Basic method consultation
- Integration into overall occupational safety
- Documentation and follow-up
Where External Expertise Helps
- Development of customized survey instruments
- In-depth psychological analysis
- Moderation of sensitive workshops
- Coaching on leadership topics
Cooperation with Other Stakeholders
Company Doctor
- Joint inspections and analyses
- Incorporate medical perspective
- Link occupational health care
HR / Human Resources
- Access to employee data and metrics
- Connection with health management measures
- Communication with employees
Works Council
- Ensure early involvement
- Help shape works agreements
- Promote acceptance among employees
Managers
- Obtain department-specific information
- Support measure implementation
- Identify training needs
Further Training for Sifas
For Sifas who want to deepen their competence in psychological risk assessment:
- Seminars from professional associations on psychological stress
- Certificate courses on conducting psychological risk assessment
- Training on survey methods
- Workshops on conversation techniques and moderation
Conclusion
The Sifa is a central player in psychological risk assessment. They coordinate, advise and network – but should also know the limits of their own expertise and bring in external support when needed.
SafeMind as Partner for Sifas: Many safety specialists use SafeMind to conduct psychological risk assessment efficiently. The platform offers standardized, scientifically-based assessment instruments, automated evaluations and complete documentation – exactly what Sifas need for legally compliant assessment.
Find a Safety Specialist near you: Our SiFa Directory lists over 1,800 qualified safety specialists across Germany — filter by state, city or specialization such as Psychological Risk Assessment.
