Occupational safety duties quick-check
From the first employee, the risk assessment, safety training, first-aid organisation and the appointment of an occupational safety specialist and an occupational physician apply. Above 20 employees the occupational safety committee is added (section 11 ASiG), from 50 safety officers (section 22 SGB VII, since 29 May 2026). With more than 50 employees the Unternehmermodell ends and standard support applies. Enter your headcount and the check shows which of these apply to you.
The thresholds: an occupational safety specialist and an occupational physician must always be in place (ASiG). The Unternehmermodell is possible for up to 50; from more than 20 employees the occupational safety committee (section 11 ASiG) is added, while safety officers (section 22 SGB VII) are mandatory only from 50 since May 2026 (between 21 and 49 only where there is a special hazard). Guidance, not legal advice.
Which thresholds the check applies
Occupational safety has no single cut-off but a chain of them. These five decide what applies in an office business:
- From the first employee: risk assessment (section 5 ArbSchG), safety training (section 12 ArbSchG), first-aid organisation, plus, as a rule, a specialist and a physician (ASiG).
- More than 20 employees: set up an occupational safety committee meeting quarterly (section 11 ASiG).
- 21-50 employees: the Unternehmermodell is permitted.
- From 50 employees: appoint safety officers (section 22 SGB VII, since 29 May 2026; between 21 and 49 only where there is particular risk).
- With more than 50 employees: standard support with a formally appointed specialist.
If you would rather not work through the chain yourself, the page on the external occupational safety specialist sets out what they take on in an office.
| Threshold | Duty | Legal basis |
|---|---|---|
| from the first employee | risk assessment, safety training, first aid, specialist and physician as a rule | sections 5 and 12 ArbSchG, DGUV Regulation 1, ASiG |
| more than 20 employees | occupational safety committee, quarterly | section 11 ASiG |
| up to 50 employees | Unternehmermodell permitted, no formally appointed specialist needed | DGUV Regulation 2, Annex 3 |
| from 50 employees | safety officers (21 to 49 only where there is particular risk) | section 22 SGB VII, since 29 May 2026 |
| more than 50 employees | standard support with a formally appointed specialist | DGUV Regulation 2, Annex 2 |
What is counted
What matters is the number of people regularly employed, not full-time positions. Part-time staff, temporary workers and generally apprentices count. Anyone sitting just below a threshold should confirm the counting method with their employers' liability insurance association.
The thresholds cluster around 20 and 50. Growing from 20 to 21 adds the occupational safety committee. That threshold is the one most often missed, because it arrives quietly with the next hire rather than with a relocation.
What the check does not do
- It gives no number of hours. That comes from the support-hours calculator.
- It does not assess particular risk. Between 21 and 49 employees this can require safety officers even where the check does not show them.
- It is not legal advice. Sector-specific rules can add further duties.
Legal basis
- Occupational Safety and Health Act (ArbSchG) section 5: risk assessment from the first employee.
- Occupational Safety and Health Act (ArbSchG) section 12: safety training on hiring and regularly thereafter.
- Occupational Safety Act (ASiG) section 11: occupational safety committee with more than 20 employees, quarterly.
- SGB VII section 22: safety officers from 50 employees, between 21 and 49 only where there is particular risk.
- DGUV Regulation 2: Unternehmermodell up to 50 employees (Annex 3) and standard support above that (Annex 2).
Frequently asked questions
Do part-time and temporary staff count?
Yes. The thresholds are based on the number of people regularly employed, not full-time equivalents. Part-time staff, temporary workers and generally apprentices count.
From when do I need an occupational safety committee?
Above 20 employees, so from 21 people (section 11 ASiG). It meets at least once per calendar quarter. What counts is the calendar quarter, not an interval of three months.
Why are safety officers only required from 50?
Because section 22 SGB VII was revised on 29 May 2026. In a classic office business safety officers have since then been required only from 50 employees. Between 21 and 49 the duty applies only where there is particular risk to life and health.
What happens when a threshold is crossed?
Nothing automatically. The change has to be made and documented actively, such as appointing a specialist in writing when passing 50. Anyone noticing only at the next inspection is left with a gap that cannot be closed retrospectively.
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