The committee, which is composed of representatives of employers, trade unions, state authorities, statutory accident insurers and other persons from science and practice, advises the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (BMAS) on all issues of medical occupational safety and health.

Tasks of AfAMed

According to section 9 subsection 3 ArbMedVV, AfAMed has the following tasks:

• to determine appropriate rules and other assured occupational medical knowledge in accordance with the state of the art of occupational medicine,
• to determine rules and findings on how the requirements set out in this regulation can be met, in particular regarding the content and scope of mandatory, proposed and desired provisional health care,
• to make recommendations on occupational provisional health care,
• to make recommendations for further provisional health care measures, in particular for in-company health care programmes,
• to determine rules and findings on other occupational health care measures pursuant to section 1 subsection 3, in particular on the general occupational healt care advice for the employees,
• to advise the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs on all aspects of occupational provisional health care as well as on other issues of medical occupational safety

The Committee works closely with the other committees at the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs. The Work Programme of the Committee for Occupational Medicine is coordinated with the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs.

Subcommittees

The tasks of AfAMed are professionally prepared by 3 subcommittees (UA):

• UA I "Hazardous substances, physical agents and other activities" (Chair: Dr Petereit-Haack)
• UA II "Biological agents and infection risks" (Chair: Dr Steinmann)
• UA III "Principal matters and current developments" (Chair: Dr Panter)

Appointment periods of AfAMed

The constituent meeting for the first appointment period took place on 19 March 2009 in Berlin. On 9 May 2019, AfAMed entered the third appointment period with a constituent meeting.

Ordinance on Occupational Health Care (ArbMedVV)

With the Ordinance on Occupational Health Care (ArbMedVV), entered into force on 24 December 2008 and last amended on 23 October 2013, the corner stone for the committee on occupational medicine was laid at the Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs (BMAS). The aim of the ordinance (according to section 1 of the ArbMedVV) is to recognise and prevent work-related illnesses including occupational diseases at an early stage through measures of occupational health care. At the same time, occupational health care should contribute to the maintenance of employability and the further development of occupational health protection.

Ordinance on Occupational Health Care (ArbMedVV)

For further information please refer to our German Website.