DASA - German Occupational Safety and Health Exhibition

Dortmund is the place to come if you would like to visit an exhibition involving plenty of leisure activity and to find out how the future will look in view of the changes taking place in the world of work.

As well as providing a wide range of activities, the DASA pursues the aim of incorporating the concept of occupational safety and health into a comprehensive solution to problems relating to competitiveness, social compatibility and sustainability and to present a convincing and viable concept for the future. In so doing, the DASA places peoples' physical, mental, social and cultural interests at the centre of attention. Even in the face of such rapid changes, man himself still remains the best model on which to shape the future. Viewing people from this aspect, means learning to re-understand them and how they are able to fit into the context of the new high-tech world, bearing in mind their senses and abilities, their "human resources". The possibilities they offer, but also their needs must, as a matter of course be taken into consideration in designing future workplaces.

The German Occupational Safety and Health Exhibition (DASA) is a place to visit for an educational experience. Information can be found here about the world of work and its importance in society. The DASA was opened in 1993 as part of the Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, and the 13.000 m² exhibition area was completed in time for the World Exhibition "EXPO 2000".

The concept of the exhibition is therefore not geared towards displaying technical innovation from a futurist perspective. Nor is priority given to the issues of labour market policy. More importance is given to the question raised on how to safeguard key human values such as health, dignity, well-being and participation in society, in view of the foreseeable developments in the world of work from the occupational safety and health point of view. Above all, there is a need to implement the concept of preventative occupational safety and health in an all embracing sense. Emphasis should be placed on "offensive prevention" rather than merely attempting to avert risks through "defensive prevention". Accordingly, there will be a need for pre-planned concepts focusing primarily on people and for conveying these concepts as models for general consensus.

The specific link between traditional museum design and modern educational didactic, distinguishes the DASA from other museums. It cannot be compared to a museum of technology or a science centre. Using communication methods which address both the intellect, the feelings and indeed all the senses, the DASA presents topics and issues from the world of work in scenic situations, in settings depicting activity in various branches of industry. This permanent exhibition is divided into theme sections described here. It is flanked by various art and special exhibitions. The DASA will never be completed. The rapid pace of change in the world of work will call for ever new presentations, both for the professionals, schools and for the general public.