Berlin's workplace safety inspections drop to once every 29 years on average
Workplace safety inspections in Berlin remain worryingly low, with businesses facing checks just once every 29 years on average. The city's oversight body, Lagetsi, conducted inspections at only 1.2 percent of business locations in 2025—far below the federal target of 5 percent annually. Authorities warn that understaffing and systemic gaps continue to leave many workers at risk. Berlin's State Office for Occupational Safety, Health Protection, and Technical Safety (Lagetsi) is responsible for enforcing workplace safety rules. Yet, with just 180 employees—including 90 field inspectors—it struggles to meet inspection demands. The agency argues that rigid quotas, like the 5 percent federal benchmark, are impractical and could divert attention from high-risk areas.
Last year, 5,400 inspections across workplaces and construction sites uncovered 7,000 violations. Common issues included missing risk assessments and unsafe handling of hazardous materials. Many problems stem from subcontractor networks, where small businesses often lack basic safety knowledge.
Germany's Occupational Safety and Health Act requires employers to implement protective measures and workers to follow regulations. However, Lagetsi insists that inspections alone won't solve the problem. Instead, the agency focuses on using accident data to guide enforcement priorities and improve oversight efficiency. The current inspection rate leaves Berlin businesses facing checks only once every few decades. Lagetsi maintains that a flexible, risk-based approach is more effective than fixed quotas. For now, workplace accidents remain a persistent challenge, with understaffing and limited resources slowing progress.
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