Occupational Safety in the Company? FASI or SIFA

Occupational safety is an essential topic in companies that not only ensures the health and well-being of employees, but also meets legal requirements and ultimately contributes to the productivity and stability of the business. In this context, the terms “Sifa” and “FASI” repeatedly arise, but they often cause confusion. In this article, we at Shoes For Crews explain the differences and highlight the respective tasks and responsibilities of the occupational safety specialist (Sifa) and the Occupational Safety Association (FASI).

Occupational safety specialist (Sifa) – tasks and legal framework

In Germany, the Occupational Safety Act (ASiG) stipulates that companies above a certain size must employ or appoint an occupational safety specialist (Sifa). The designation “Sifa” is standardised in the official coordination between the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (BMAS), the federal states and the German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV), and is always abbreviated in this way (see 2. “Is it called FASI or Sifa?”). At the same time, however, the term “FASI” or “FaSi” is also often used. The latter (upper- and lower-case spelling) is a synonymous, unofficial term for the occupational safety specialist, whereas “FASI” is the official abbreviation for the Occupational Safety Association (Fachvereinigung Arbeitssicherheit e. V.). 

The tasks of the Sifa

The Sifa is a specially trained professional who supports companies in creating and maintaining safe and healthy working conditions. Their duties include:

• Identifying and assessing hazards: The Sifa analyses potential hazards and assesses them in order to minimise risks for employees.
• Advising company management: The Sifa advises management on preventive measures and ensures that legally required standards are met. This also includes providing protective clothing, especially suitable safety shoes.
• Developing and updating safety concepts: This includes planning and implementing protective measures and training employees to promote a high level of safety awareness.
• Monitoring compliance with regulations: The Sifa regularly monitors whether all occupational safety regulations are complied with and supports the company in implementing legal requirements.

Training to become a Sifa generally takes place through various courses and covers both theoretical and practical aspects of occupational safety. This training is usually provided by employers’ liability insurance associations or recognised educational institutions and concludes with an examination.

FASI – the Occupational Safety Association (Fachvereinigung Arbeitssicherheit e. V.)

The Occupational Safety Association, or FASI for short (uppercase), is an association that also deals with occupational safety, but does not act as a directly operational body within companies. FASI sees itself as a representative body and platform for occupational safety professionals. It is important to emphasise that FASI and Sifa are two fundamentally different terms, each with its own area of responsibility.

The main tasks of FASI

• Representing and promoting the professional interests of occupational safety specialists: FASI works to ensure that the relevance of the Sifa profession is more strongly recognised in politics and society.
• Offering further training and professional development opportunities: FASI supports its members through further training to ensure the quality and currency of knowledge in occupational safety.
• Developing and promoting standards and best practices: FASI works to establish best practices and safety standards that serve as guidance in various industries.
• Political work and advocacy: The association acts as a voice for its members and engages in dialogue with political decision-makers to advance relevant occupational safety issues.

It is therefore clear that FASI does not play an operational role in companies, but rather acts as an association representing the interests of occupational safety specialists (that is, Sifas) and communicating their concerns at political and social level.

Why confusion often occurs

The similarity between the terms “Sifa” and “FASI” repeatedly leads to misunderstandings, especially as both deal with occupational safety. While the Sifa takes on a specific role within companies, FASI has an overarching networking function and focuses on developing and supporting the Sifa profession.

Another misunderstanding may arise because the Sifa and FASI often overlap thematically in day-to-day work. For example, companies looking for an in-house occupational safety specialist (Sifa) may mistakenly approach FASI as an association because they believe they can hire suitable professionals directly there.

Why are Sifas so important for companies?

A well-trained occupational safety specialist can make a significant contribution to ensuring that a company is safe and its employees remain healthy, which ultimately also has a positive effect on productivity. Companies that take occupational safety seriously and ensure it through an experienced Sifa not only avoid accidents and downtime, but also gain the trust of their employees and strengthen their corporate image.

Collaboration between Sifas and FASI

Although the Sifa and FASI perform different functions, they often work together indirectly. Sifas benefit from the continuing education and training opportunities offered by FASI and can use the FASI network to stay informed about current developments and challenges in occupational safety. FASI, in turn, relies on feedback from practising Sifas in order to shape its political work in a targeted and practice-oriented way.

For companies, it is therefore advisable not only to rely on the support of a qualified Sifa, but also to use FASI’s offerings and networks in order to be well informed and connected in the field of occupational safety and, ultimately, to implement the safety measures recommended by the Sifa in the workplace. This is where Shoes For Crews comes in as a third party. We support you in equipping your staff with safe and comfortable work shoes for a wide range of industries. Do you have further questions about the topic? Then contact us today.