26 percent fewer tripping, slipping and falling accidents: the outcome of the "Aktion: Sicherer Auftritt"
("On The Right Foot" campaign). With this prevention campaign, the BGs have endeavoured over the past
two years to address a particular focus of accidents in all sectors. In absolute figures: 191,000
occupational accidents in 2002 caused by tripping, slipping or falling; two years later, barely 141,000.
"These figures are proof of our campaign's success," stressed Dr. Walter Eichendorf, Deputy Managing
Director of the HVBG, at the presentation of the results in Berlin. "We therefore wish to continue this
strategy and rely upon a policy of information."
At the concluding event to the campaign, held yesterday in Berlin, Heinrich Tiemann, Parliamentary
Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Security (BMGS), welcomed its success: "With this
campaign, the BGs have succeeded in drawing attention to the subject of tripping, slipping and falling
accidents in plants and amongst insured individuals, and in raising awareness of it."
The background to the campaign was a daily total of almost 1,000 occupational accidents caused by tripping,
slipping or falling: a situation with huge economic relevance. Many of the accidents, which are frequently
trivial, have severe consequences. Each year, some 50,000 of these accidents necessitated in-patient treatment.
5,000 of the accident victims suffered permanent injury, resulting in a BG disability pension. The annual
costs to the BGs were in the order of 330 million Euro. With the "Aktion: Sicherer Auftritt", we have proved
that prevention campaigns are successful," said Eichendorf. This campaign should therefore be followed by others.
The subject of the next campaign, to begin in 2007, will be the prevention of skin diseases. The BGs wish to conduct
this campaign in conjunction with the German national and regional authorities and the health insurance institutions.
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