Occupational health services in Germany and the use of routine data for epidemiology and management: example from the chemical industry

Abstract

The basis of German legislation concerning safety at work and health protection is the "dual system": The State and the Employment Accident Insurance Funds are responsible for prevention, rehabilitation, and compensation. The employer can select between several types of occupational medical service. BASF--a major chemical company--serves as example. The Medical Information System of the Occupational Medical and Health Protection Department of BASF is an important tool for management decisions, that is with regard to the introduction of employee assistance or wellness programs, for decisions for preventive measures, or for improvement of service management.