Safety officers will only be required for companies with 50 or more employees.

Companies with fewer than 50 employees will no longer be required to appoint safety officers. The Federal Council has now approved the regulation.

company with fewer than 50 employees must in future no safety officers Order more. ZWEI Companies will soon only need security officers from 250 Employees. 

However, there are special risks For the sake of life and health, safety officers must be appointed in companies with 20 or more employees. Therefore, the appointment will primarily depend on the following criteria in the future: concrete Working conditions within the company, not solely determined by company size. 

The Federal Council On May 8, 2026, the amendment to the § 22 SGB VII agreed, which the Bundestag on the 26. March 2026 decided had. This means the regulation can come into force after its publication in the Federal Law Gazette.

DGUV Regulation 1 is being revised

Concrete Requirements regarding the obligation to order, in particular assistance on how businesses check Whether there are particular risks to life and health will be determined within the framework of the currently ongoing Revision of DGUV Regulation 1 respectively.

You might also be interested in:

Craft policy

Working Time Act: Trades criticize draft bill

Operations management

The Federal Training Assistance Act (BAföG) for advanced training is being expanded.

Craft policy

Budget for 2027: The key points are set

With the new regulation, the Federal Government is implementing the EU Regulation 2024 / 2748 around. She pursues her "concept for more efficient and less bureaucratic occupational safetyThe law contains, among other things, procedural provisions and new fine offenses.

What do security officers do?

The Safety Officer (SiBe) They support the employer in improving occupational safety and health, help colleagues, and point out hazards. For example, they make sure that Protective devices and equipment that the necessary equipment is available and that colleagues wear their personal protective equipment (PPE) – such as hard hats, hearing protection, and work shoes on the construction site. Smaller companies can voluntarily appoint a safety officer. 

Government: "Occupational safety remains guaranteed"

The Work Protection even with the new concept still guaranteed explained Federal government in their response (21/4068) in response to a parliamentary question from the Left Party. The questioning MPs criticize the government's concept. Criticism There were also objections from several quarters outside the Bundestag, including from the German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV).

From the perspective of ZDB, HDB, IG BAU and BG BAU, the regulation ensured that the Security level in the construction industry. Together with the social partners, the BG BAU (German Social Accident Insurance Institution for the Construction Industry) had participated in the legislative process and emphasized in particular that rigid thresholds do not do justice to the complex and dynamic working conditions in the construction industry. In its Stellungnahme They also emphasize that a flexible organization of occupational safety, oriented towards specific hazards, is crucial. These key proposals were incorporated into the new regulations.

Source: German Bundestag, hib report 240/2026; BG Bau

The advisors at the Chambers of Crafts will be happy to help you with any legal questions!

DHB now also digital!Simply click here and register for the digital German Crafts Journal (DHB)!