The German Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (Bundesministerium für Arbeit und Soziales (BMAS)), the Joint Committee of Labour Inspection Services for the Länder (Länderausschuss für Arbeitsschutz und Sicherheitstechnik (LASI)) and the German Statutory Accident Insurance Fund (Deutsche Gesetzliche Unfallversicherung (DGUV)) are organizing, for the third year running, an award for safety and health at work. The winning enterprises will be those that have shown the most innovative ways to improve safety and health at work through product and process development. Winners will share the sum of 40,000 euros.

Enterprises, regardless of their size, economic activity or legal status, can submit an application until the 28th of February 2009. The results of the competition will be made public at the A + A Fair in Düsseldorf in November 2009.

It is worth noting that innovations in the field of occupational safety and health are also advances in the development of the enterprise and serve as examples of good practice. Workers at an enterprise who innovate not only improve the competitiveness of businesses, but help promote exports and the national economy in general.

This award reflects the German occupational safety and health strategy as well. For the period 2008-2012, those responsible for this strategy have set a target to reduce the number and severity of accidents in enterprises and to diminish the incidence of musculoskeletal and skin diseases.

On the DGUV Web site, find more information about the award (in German).