Safety Inspections according to German UVV Regulations

(Comparable to OSHA requirements in the U.S.)

"UVV" stands for "Unfallverhütungsvorschrift" – accident prevention regulations issued by the German Statutory Accident Insurance (DGUV).

These regulations define binding requirements for the safe and compliant use of work equipment, such as hoists and cranes, within German companies. UVV inspections are mandatory for all equipment subject to wear and operational safety risks.
Although UVV inspections are based on German law, they serve a similar purpose to safety standards issued by OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) in the United States or HSE (Health and Safety Executive) in the United Kingdom.

Legal Background
These inspections are required under German regulations such as the Betriebssicherheitsverordnung (BetrSichV) and the corresponding DGUV Rules, which apply to all employers and insured individuals in Germany.
They aim to prevent accidents, reduce liability risks, and ensure the long-term operational safety of lifting and handling equipment.

The operator is independently responsible for ensuring that all lifting equipment (work and operating tools, such as an electric chain hoist) is inspected by a qualified expert or competent person at least once per year, in accordance with the applicable safety regulations (UVV inspections / DGUV inspections).

What does a DGUV (UVV) Inspection Cover?

Arbeitsmittel, bei denen Abnutzung (Verschleiß) oder andere schädigende Einflüsse eine Gefährdung von Arbeitnehmer/innen hervorrufen können, sind wiederkehrend zu überprüfen auf:

Worn parts and wear-prone components
(e.g. brakes, clutches, wheels, load-carrying equipment)
Adjustment and calibration of safety-relevant systems
(e.g. load monitoring, limit switches)
Functionality of critical safety components
(e.g. emergency stops, safety interlocks, warning devices)
Suitability of the equipment for its intended use
(e.g. ensuring that a work platform is safely lifted by a forklift or crane)

Why is it no longer called a "UVV inspection", but rather a "recurring inspection according to DGUV"?

Although UVV is still widely used in everyday language, since 2014, there has been a unified DGUV regulation that applies uniformly to all statutory accident insurance carriers.
The previous "Accident Prevention Regulations (UVV)" have been incorporated into the new system, given new numbers and titles, but with only editorial adjustments in content.

The regulations are divided into 4 categories:

DGUV Regulations
DGUV Rules
DGUV Information
DGUV Principles

Therefore, the term “UVV inspection” is outdated – today, it is referred to as the “recurring inspection according to DGUV”.

This adjustment mainly affects the systematics and naming of the regulations – not the fundamental content or requirements of the inspections.

There are transfer lists to assign old BG publications to those of the DGUV.
An excerpt:

BG (UVV)	DGUV	Titel
BGV A3	DGUV Vorschrift 3	Electrical installations and operating equipment
BGV C1	DGUV Vorschrift 17	Event and production facilities for scenic performances
BGV D6	DGUV Vorschrift 52	Cranes
BGV D8	DGUV Vorschrift 54	Winches, lifting and pulling devices
BGR 500	DGUV Regel 100-500	Operating work equipment
BGI 622	DGUV Information 209-021	Load tables for lifting devices
BGG/GUV-G 905	DGUV Grundsatz 309-001	Inspection of cranes

Request a free, no-obligation quote for your recurring inspection according to DGUV today at:
Tel. +49 4102 7789-600
Please note: We only conduct inspections within Germany.

Safety Inspections according to German UVV Regulations

(Comparable to OSHA requirements in the U.S.)

What does a DGUV (UVV) Inspection Cover?

Why is it no longer called a "UVV inspection", but rather a "recurring inspection according to DGUV"?

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