EKAS Guidelines
EKAS guidelines are non-binding recommendations issued by the Swiss accident insurance collective (EKAS) to help employers and employees understand occupational safety law under the ArG (Arbeitsgesetz). They clarify how Swiss workplace safety rules apply in practice across sectors and cantons. Compliance is not legally mandatory—the ArG itself is—but following EKAS guidance protects you from misinterpretation and demonstrates good faith if an incident occurs.
EKAS (Eidgenössische Koordinationskommission für Arbeitssicherheit) publishes guidelines that translate Swiss workplace safety law into practical steps. These guidelines exist because the ArG sets principles but leaves implementation details to employers and insurers.
EKAS guidelines cover hazard assessment, accident reporting, training, equipment maintenance, and shift work limits. They are issued in German, French, and Italian, with canton-specific variants where cantonal law diverges.
When EKAS Guidelines Come Into Play
You encounter EKAS guidelines when your mandatory accident insurance provider (SUVA, Helvetia, or cantonal insurer) reviews your workplace or responds to an incident. They also matter during expansion—if you hire beyond 10 staff, your safety obligations formalize.
Guidelines become relevant if your business involves chemical handling, machinery, construction, healthcare, or shift work. Even office-based SMEs must address ergonomics, emergency procedures, and mental workload.
- Accident insurance carriers reference EKAS standards during premium assessments
- State labour inspectorates use them to audit ArG compliance
- Guidelines apply equally across all Swiss cantons, though cantonal labour offices may add stricter rules
- Available free from EKAS website in all official languages
- Regularly updated—check annually for revisions in your sector
- Cover both permanent staff and temporary workers on your payroll
Your Employer Obligations
Under the ArG, you must ensure workplace safety and health. EKAS guidelines show how to fulfill this legally. You are required to conduct hazard assessments, document them, train staff, and report serious accidents to your insurer within 24 hours.
You must provide safe equipment, maintain it, and ensure workers understand hazards relevant to their role and Pensum. If a worker requests accommodation due to safety concerns—such as reduced night-shift hours—you must take it seriously.
- Conduct written hazard assessment (Gefährdungsbeurteilung) for each workplace and task
- Document all accidents, near-misses, and corrective actions for at least 5 years
- Provide safety training in a language your staff understand (not just German/French if workers speak another language)
- Ensure first-aid kit, emergency contact list, and evacuation plan are current and posted
- Report accidents causing absence >3 days to your insurer immediately
- Review and update safety practices if a canton issues a stricter labour ordinance
The Most Common Mistake
The most frequent error is treating EKAS guidelines as optional because they are called "guidelines" rather than law. Employers assume "we're a small office, we don't need this." But even a 5-person team must assess hazards and document them—this is ArG law, not EKAS opinion.
The second mistake is not translating safety instructions for non-native speakers or failing to update hazard assessments after hiring someone in a new role or location. A lawyer can confirm your specific obligation, but generally: if an accident occurs and your assessment or training is missing or outdated, you face liability and higher insurance premiums.
- Not documenting hazard assessment—EKAS provides templates; use them
- Assuming a 2–3 person startup is exempt from accident reporting
- Ignoring canton-specific rules (e.g., Basel-Stadt rules differ from Uri)
- Failing to translate safety instructions for workers with low German/French literacy
- Treating old EKAS documents as current—check publication dates annually
- Not reporting serious accidents within the required timeframe
Frequently asked questions
- Is following EKAS guidelines legally mandatory?
- No—but the ArG is. EKAS guidelines clarify how to obey the ArG. If you ignore them and an accident occurs, your insurer and labour inspectors will ask why you deviated from the standard interpretation. Deviation is not illegal, but it invites scrutiny. A lawyer can advise whether your approach meets ArG requirements.
- Who enforces EKAS guidelines?
- Your accident insurer (SUVA or private insurer) uses them during audits and premium setting. Cantonal labour inspectorates reference them during inspections. Neither body will fine you for not following EKAS word-for-word, but both will cite EKAS if they find an ArG violation.
- Do I need to create new documents, or can I adapt EKAS templates?
- You must create documents tailored to your workplace and tasks. EKAS templates and checklists are starting points. A generic hazard assessment copied from EKAS will not withstand scrutiny because it will not address your specific Pensum splits, cantonal location, or equipment. Adapt templates to reflect your reality.
General information for Swiss employers, not legal advice. Have a lawyer confirm anything with legal consequences.