First of all, we clarify the question: What are the benefits of workplace safety for your company and what obligations do you have as an employer? If you care about worker safety and protect the health of your employees, it's not just for THEIR benefit. It also increases the profitability of your company. Less absenteeism means more resources, less loss of know-how, less need for temporary workers, the avoidance of continued payment of wages in the event of an accident, and your company saves around CHF 1,000 per day.

The aim of occupational health and safety measures is to ensure a safe and healthy working environment that prevents accidents, occupational illnesses and stress-related impairments and their associated accident risks. More detailed information can be found in the glossary of the Federal Coordination Commission for Occupational Safety (FCOS), on the SECO website on the topic of "Health protection at work" or under "Summary of your obligations in the area of occupational health and safety" (OH&S) from Suva.

The most common occupational accidents

When it comes to workplace accidents, people often think of maintenance, the construction industry or handling hazardous substances. But it is not only in construction, upkeeping or building maintenance that serious accidents can occur. By far the most common of all occupational accidents, tripping, falling or slipping, also often happens in the office, on the stairs on the way to the canteen, in the store, etc. (source).

In 2022, 7.8% of employed men and 3.7% of employed women had accidents at work (sources: Federal Statistical Office, Suva). According to the UVG accident statistics, around 915,000 occupational and leisure accidents and occupational diseases were reported in Switzerland in 2024. This corresponds to a slight increase compared to the previous year (+0.7 %). According to a press release issued on 1^st July 2025 by the SAMMELSTELSTELLE FÜR DIE STATISTIK DER UNFALLVERSICHERUNG UVG (SSUV), the number of occupational accidents and illnesses at SUVA fell by 3.6 %. In contrast, occupational accidents rose slightly by 0.8 % at the other private insurers, which are mainly active in the service sector. In the trade and services sector, the risk per 1,000 full-time employees – purely for occupational accidents – was 52.8 in 2022. The risk varies from 27.5 for architecture and engineering firms, 49.6 in the retail trade or 70.4 in gastronomy and 81.3 in healthcare to 139.3 in the placement and leasing of workers or even 157.2 in arts, entertainment and recreation.

Risk analysis and prevention are a management task

As a manager, you have the best overview of the processes in your company, can identify potential health risks for your employees at an early stage and establish binding health and safety rules. Prevention pays off, also financially – and you receive support from various sources. This allows you to find the best prevention options for your company efficiently and with little effort. You are also entitled to advice on the necessary protective measures from Suva or the cantonal labor inspectorate.

• You can find information on prevention options for employers at FCOS
• Overview of the cantonal labor inspectorates
• Suva
• SECO

When professional safety specialists (ASA) are needed and how company visits and inspections are carried out

Employers are obliged to call in occupational health and safety (OH&S) specialists when necessary to set up a risk assessment matrix. This is particularly the case if they lack the necessary expertise to systematically identify hazards, assess the associated risks, define suitable protective measures or set up a functioning professional safety system.

You can find out more about the FCOS Directive 6508 "Involvement of occupational physicians and other occupational safety specialists (ASA Directive)" and a list of professional associations with ASA specialists in the FCOS information for employers.

And here you can find further information on how such company visits and inspections are conducted.

Probabilistic risk assessment

The primary goal is to avoid psychological and physical pain. Risk assessment is therefore crucial, as a hazard can only be eliminated if it is known. There are also many potential health and safety risks in the service sector:

• Trip and fall hazards such as slippery floors or stairs, cables on the floor, etc.
• Strain on the musculoskeletal system due to repetitive movements, ergonomically unfavorable workstations, forced postures, etc.
• Hazardous substances (chemical hazards/biological substances), for example through inhalation or skin contact
• Fire and explosion hazards
• Exposure to working environments in extreme heat or cold, draughts, etc.
• Hazards due to poor work organization, inadequate instruction, insufficient rest periods, etc.
• Mental stress such as excessive demands, discrimination, bullying, etc.

You can find out more about risk assessment, a proper risk matrix and health hazard evaluation here.

Legal basis and regulations for telework

The law stipulates that employers are responsible for the health and safety of their employees in the workplace. This applies regardless of whether they work on site at the company or from home. Employers' obligations with regard to occupational health and safety (OH&S) are set out in the Swiss Code of Obligations (on labor law, Art. 328 CO), the Accident Insurance Act (on the prevention of accidents and occupational illnesses, Art. 82 UVG) and the Labor Act (on employee protection, Art. 6 ArG).

In consequence, the company must take all measures that are applicable according to the state of the art, appropriate to the circumstances and necessary as per experience. Although the employer bears overall responsibility, he or she must involve the employees. They then bear responsibility for implementation.

You can find more information on this topic in the Suva information brochure: "What are your duties in the field of occupational safety and health protection?" as well as in the guidelines on the Labour Act and its ordinances issued by SECO.

Temporary employment jobs and hiring out staff

In principle, the same rules apply to temporary work as to company-employed staff according to the Swiss Code of Obligations. In temporary staffing too, you as the company and place of employment are responsible for effective occupational health and safety (OH&S) measures. Suva is your reliable source for various aids in connection with temporary work and staff leasing.

The SECO also provides detailed information on the subject of "Private employment agencies and temporary staffing".

You can also obtain a personal safety pass from the FCOS as proof of training for temporary employees.