Safety-officer calculator
Since 29 May 2026, safety officers are mandatory from 50 employees (section 22 SGB VII); between 21 and 49 only where there is a special hazard, which a pure office normally does not have. Below 250 employees without a special hazard one person is enough, even with several floors or sites. Above that there is no fixed scale; spatial, temporal and functional proximity decide (section 20 DGUV Regulation 1). The calculator gives you a guide.
Usually 1 for offices. From 250 employees every site and shift usually needs its own contact person nearby.
Since May 2026 safety officers must be appointed from 50 employees (section 22 SGB VII, section 20 DGUV Regulation 1); between 21 and 49 only where there is a special hazard. Below 250 employees without a special hazard one person is enough (section 22(1) sentence 4 SGB VII). Above that there is no fixed formula; what matters is the hazards, spatial, temporal and functional proximity and headcount (section 20(1) DGUV Regulation 1). Safety officers act in a voluntary capacity and must not be disadvantaged. Guidance, not legal advice.
When safety officers are required
The legal basis is Section 22 SGB VII. The provision was revised on 29 May 2026. Since then, in a classic office business:
up to 20 employees: no obligation
21-49 employees: only where there is particular risk to life and health
from 50 employees: mandatory
50-249 employees without particular risk: one person is enough
| Employees | Duty under section 22 SGB VII | Number in the calculator |
|---|---|---|
| up to 20 | none | none, voluntary appointment possible |
| 21 to 49 | only where there is particular risk to life and health | none in a classic office, voluntary appointment possible |
| 50 to 249 | mandatory | 1 person without particular risk (section 22(1) sentence 4 SGB VII); voluntarily one per site and shift |
| from 250 | mandatory, no fixed scale | guide: one person per site and shift and one more per roughly 250 employees (section 20(1) DGUV Regulation 1) |
In a pure office there is generally no particular risk between 21 and 49, so the duty applies only from 50. A voluntary appointment is possible at any size and often useful, because it clarifies the route for reporting shortcomings.
If you would rather not organise the appointment and support yourself, the page on the external occupational safety specialist sets out what they take on in an office.
How many people are needed
Below 250 employees without particular risk, one safety officer is enough under section 22(1) sentence 4 SGB VII, even across several floors or sites. From 250 employees or where there is particular risk there is no fixed scale. Under section 20(1) DGUV Regulation 1, hazards, headcount and spatial, temporal and functional proximity matter. The underlying idea: a safety officer should be approachable and notice what happens day to day.
- One site, one floor, 60 employees: one person is enough.
- Two sites with 55 employees each: legally one person is enough. A second, voluntary appointment at the other site makes sense, because one person sees little across two addresses.
- Two buildings with 240 and 160 employees, one of them on two shifts: usually three people, one per building and another for the second shift.
The calculations in detail are in How many safety officers does a business need?
What the calculator does not do
- It does not assess particular risk. Whether it exists between 21 and 49 employees is decided by the risk assessment.
- It does not replace the specialist. Safety officers support on a voluntary basis; safety support under the ASiG is unaffected.
- It says nothing about the appointment, which is made in writing, after involving the works council, with duties and area of responsibility.
Everything about the role is in Safety officers in the office.
Legal basis
- SGB VII section 22: duty from 50 employees, exception between 21 and 49 where there is particular risk, one person below 250.
- DGUV Regulation 1, section 20: appointment and duties, criteria for the number from 250 employees.
- DGUV Information 211-042 "Safety officers": role, selection and determining the number.
- Occupational Safety Act (ASiG): safety support by the specialist, which continues alongside the safety officers.
Frequently asked questions
What changed on 29 May 2026?
Section 22 SGB VII was revised. Previously safety officers had to be appointed above 20 employees; since then, in a classic office, only from 50. Between 21 and 49 the duty applies only where there is particular risk to life and health.
Is a safety officer personally liable?
No, the role creates no extended personal liability. Responsibility under occupational safety law remains with the employer and the managers. The safety officer supports; they do not give instructions.
Does a safety officer replace the occupational safety specialist?
No. These are two separate roles from two legal bases. The specialist under the ASiG brings expertise and the support record; the safety officer is the person on the ground day to day.
Must the appointment be in writing?
Yes, the appointment is made in writing by the employer after involving the works council. It should name the duties, the area of responsibility and the time frame, and be filed with the occupational safety records.
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