In the German economy, sectors such as mechanical engineering, systems engineering and electrical engineering play an important role. In the field of car manufacturing, Germany is achieving very good results at an international level with well-known brands such as Volkswagen and BMW. As a result, profits in the millions can be recorded annually. The industry in Germany is far stronger than in other countries and a turnover of 1,893 billion euros was achieved in 2017. The automotive industry in particular occupies a leading position with 425 billion euros.
Additionally, the automotive sector also employs a lot of workers. In 2017, 6.2 million people worked in over 45,000 industrial companies that employed more than 19 people each. To illustrate: this number exceeds the population in Denmark.
High Quality Tests and Ceritifications of Electrical Work Equipment
The tests and certifications of tools and devices for electricity work are also very important for the German economy. Electrical devices and tools such as electric screwdrivers are checked very carefully. The German Association of Electrical Engineering (VDE), one of the largest technical and scientific associations in Europe, is significantly involved in product testing for consumers. This also includes testing more advanced tools like temperature sensors, sold by vendors such as RS Components, which can measure temperatures in an industrial environment very accurate. This is especially important, as many machines and products only work in a certain temperature range.
Employers must have those devices checked that are used in the workplace. Among other things, installation and assembly must be carried out in accordance with the applicable regulations and the safety of work equipment must be guaranteed. Existing errors must also be recognized before damage can occur. Companies should check the devices used by employees after assembly and before they are used for the first time. The relevant legal requirements can be found in Section 14 (1) of the Industrial Safety Ordinance. In any case, a test after installation is necessary, which must be carried out before the device is used.
SECTION 5 of the Industrial Safety Ordinance
According to Section 5 of the Industrial Safety Ordinance, the following applies to the requirements for the work equipment provided:
The employer may only make available and use work equipment that is safe to use, taking into account the intended conditions of use. The work equipment must
1. be suitable for the type of work to be performed,
2. be adapted to the given conditions of use and the foreseeable stresses, and
3. have the necessary safety-relevant equipment, so that a hazard from their use is kept as low as possible. If safety and health cannot be guaranteed by taking measures according to sentences 1 and 2, the employer must take other suitable protective measures to reduce the risk as much as possible.
This paragraph shows just how seriously Germany takes its task when it comes to testing new devices. Testing of work equipment is essential for the safety and effective performance of tasks, and Germany is one of the countries that are particularly advanced in the field of efficient testing procedures. Their high standards in safety, equipment and production help their international status as leader in electrical engineering, and particularly in the automotive industry. The effects of this do not go unnoticed: Across the world, Germany is known for their excellence in building cars and providing solutions for engineering questions across industries. It is not surprising, that Germany still occupies a leading position internationally in the electrical engineering industry.
