The safety officer

The safety officer: duties, requirements and legal basis

Safety officers play a crucial role in occupational health and safety in companies. They help to ensure the safety and health of employees and prevent accidents. But what exactly does a safety officer do, which companies need one and how many safety officers are required? In this article, we shed light on the position of the safety officer, their duties and the legal requirements.

What is a safety officer?

A safety officer is an employee of a company who is responsible for supporting occupational health and safety and accident prevention. They act in an advisory capacity and support the employer in complying with occupational health and safety regulations. The main task of a safety officer is to point out potential hazards and risks in the workplace and to ensure that appropriate measures are taken to prevent accidents.

A safety officer does not issue instructions, but rather supports the company in an advisory capacity. He works closely with occupational health and safety management, occupational safety specialists and plant management to identify hazards at an early stage and propose appropriate protective measures.

Which companies need a safety officer?

Not every company is legally obliged to appoint a safety officer. The necessity depends on the size of the company and the risk situation in the workplace. Companies with more than 20 employees are legally obliged to appoint at least one safety officer. This is stipulated in Section 22 of the Social Security Code (SGB VII) and in the regulations of the German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV).

A safety officer is particularly needed in high-risk areas where the risk of accidents for employees is higher. This includes, among other things:

• Production facilities
• Industrial companies
• Construction companies
• Logistics companies
• Healthcare facilities

In companies where hazardous substances are handled, heavy machinery is used or there is a high risk of accidents, the position of a safety officer is particularly important.

When and how many safety officers are required?

The number of safety officers required depends on the size of the company, the risk situation and the working conditions. According to the DGUV, the following factors should be taken into account when determining the number of safety officers:

• Size of the company:
  Companies with more than 20 employees must have at least one safety officer. Larger companies, especially manufacturing or industrial companies, may require several safety officers.
• Workplace design:
  In spacious or spatially separated work areas, such as large factory halls or production facilities, it makes sense to appoint safety officers for different departments or areas.
• Type of activity:
  The more dangerous the work or the materials used, the more important it is to employ more safety officers. For activities with a high risk of injury or accident, such as in the construction industry, several safety officers are often necessary.

Example: In a manufacturing plant with 100 employees working in different shifts and handling dangerous machinery, several safety officers may be required per shift or department to ensure employee safety at all times.

Legal basis for safety officers

The legal basis for appointing safety officers is Section 22 of the Social Security Code VII (SGB VII). This stipulates that companies with more than 20 employees must appoint at least one safety officer. The exact requirements and regulations regarding the number and duties of a safety officer are also laid down in the regulations of the German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV), in particular in DGUV Regulation 1 ‘Principles of Prevention’.

In addition, the Occupational Safety and Health Act (ArbSchG) stipulates that employers are obliged to take measures to ensure the safety and health of their employees. The safety officer supports the employer in fulfilling these obligations by pointing out safety-related deficiencies and assisting in the implementation of protective measures.

The safety officer plays a central role in occupational health and safety and contributes significantly to the prevention of accidents and hazards. Companies with more than 20 employees are required by law to appoint a safety officer. The number of safety officers depends on the size of the company, the working conditions and the risk situation. In their advisory role, safety officers support employers in implementing safety-related measures and ensure a safe working environment.

If your company needs one or more safety officers, you should not delay in training and appointing these specialists. A well-trained safety officer can make a significant contribution to occupational safety and protects not only your employees but also your company from legal consequences and high follow-up costs resulting from accidents.

If you have any questions about safety officers, please do not hesitate to contact us. We also offer relevant further training and, in some cases, training courses for safety officers.