German Workplace Ordinance: duties and technical rules (ASR) at a glance
Room size, lighting, temperature, escape routes, break room: the German Workplace Ordinance governs how workplaces are set up and operated. What it requires and which technical rules put it into practice.
Last updated on 7 min readAMS Go editorial team
Key points at a glance
- The Workplace Ordinance (Arbeitsstättenverordnung, ArbStättV) governs how workplaces are set up and operated – from rooms and traffic routes to lighting, indoor climate and break and sanitary rooms.
- It is put into practice by the Technical Rules for Workplaces (ASR). Anyone who follows them can assume they meet the requirements of the ordinance.
- The basis is the risk assessment, which must be documented before work starts.
- Employees are instructed before starting work and at least annually afterwards – including on fire prevention, escape routes and emergency exits.
What does the Workplace Ordinance cover?
The ArbStättV serves the safety and health of employees when workplaces are set up and operated. This includes work rooms, traffic and escape routes, storage, break and sanitary rooms, first aid rooms, construction sites and outdoor workplaces on company premises. Since 2016 it has also covered display screen workstations and telework workstations.
The ordinance itself is short. The actual requirements are in its annex, divided into six areas:
- General requirements – such as room dimensions, floors, windows, doors, traffic routes and signage
- Protection against particular hazards – falls, fires, escape routes and emergency exits
- Working conditions – space to move, lighting, room temperature, ventilation and noise
- Sanitary, break and standby rooms, canteens, first aid rooms and accommodation
- Additional requirements for special workplaces, such as outdoor workplaces and construction sites
- Design of display screen workstations
The employer's most important duties
- Risk assessment: assess hazards when setting up and operating workplaces and document the result before work starts (Section 3)
- Setting up and operating: design workplaces so that hazards are avoided where possible and remaining hazards kept as low as possible (Section 3a)
- Maintenance: remedy defects without delay, maintain and test safety equipment, keep traffic and escape routes clear (Section 4)
- Non-smoker protection: effectively protect non-smoking employees from tobacco smoke (Section 5)
- Instruction: before starting work and at least annually afterwards (Section 6)
The most important ASR with key values
A1.2
TopicRoom dimensions and space to move
Example requirementsWork room at least 8 m² for one workstation plus 6 m² for each additional one; free space to move at the workstation at least 1.5 m²
A1.3
TopicSafety and health signs
Example requirementsProhibition, warning, mandatory, emergency and fire safety signs
A2.2
TopicMeasures against fires
Example requirementsFire extinguishers by extinguishing units, fire wardens
A2.3
TopicEscape routes, emergency exits, escape and rescue plan
Example requirementsMarking, width and length of escape routes
A3.4
TopicLighting and visual contact
Example requirementsOffice work at least 500 lux
A3.5
TopicRoom temperature
Example requirementsFrom 26 °C air temperature consider additional measures, from 30 °C take them
A3.7
TopicNoise
Example requirementsFocused work no more than 55 dB(A)
A4.1
TopicSanitary rooms
Example requirementsToilets, washrooms and changing rooms depending on the number of employees
A4.2
TopicBreak and standby rooms
Example requirementsBreak room for more than ten employees
A4.3
TopicFirst aid rooms, supplies and equipment
Example requirementsNumber of first aid kits
A6
TopicDisplay screen work
Example requirementsDesign of display screen workstations, since July 2024
The ASR are revised regularly. What counts is always the current version published by the Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA).
Safety inspections in AMS GoInspect workplaces with checklists, document defects with photos and track the fix with deadlines in the action plan.Break room, sanitary rooms and first aid
For more than ten employees – or where safety and health protection require it – a break room or an equivalent break area must be provided. This does not apply if employees work in offices or comparable rooms that offer equivalent conditions for rest during breaks (Annex 4.2 ArbStättV).
Toilets, washrooms and – if special work clothing must be worn – changing rooms depend on the number of employees (ASR A4.1). First aid supplies must be quickly accessible; how many first aid kits are needed is set out in ASR A4.3.
Display screen and telework workstations
Since 2016, the ArbStättV has also governed the design of display screen workstations. With ASR A6 “Display screen work”, there has been a dedicated technical rule since July 2024. Parts of the ordinance also apply to telework workstations – display screen workstations permanently set up by the employer in employees' homes. Occasional mobile working is not telework within the meaning of the ordinance.
How to implement the ArbStättV at your company
- 1
Record the workplace
List buildings, rooms, outdoor areas and workstations – including storage, break rooms and telework workstations.
- 2
Assess hazards
Check for each area whether rooms, lighting, climate, traffic routes, escape routes and sanitary rooms meet the requirements.
- 3
Remedy defects
Define measures with owners and deadlines and follow them up.
- 4
Inspect and instruct regularly
During inspections, check that routes are clear, signs are visible and equipment works, and instruct employees at least annually.
Checklist: workplace
- Risk assessment for the workplace documented
- Room size and space to move sufficient
- Lighting and room temperature suitable for the work
- Traffic and escape routes clear and marked
- Fire extinguishers and first aid supplies available
- Break room or break area where required
- Sufficient toilets and washrooms
- Display screen workstations ergonomically designed
- Instruction given at least annually
Free templates for this guide
As PDF and Excel, free – to use in your own company.
Frequently asked questions
Are the ASR binding?
The ASR are not laws. However, anyone who follows them can assume they meet the requirements of the ordinance. Anyone who deviates must achieve the same level of safety in another way – and be able to prove it if in doubt.
From how many employees is a break room mandatory?
For more than ten employees – unless they work in offices or comparable rooms that allow equivalent rest during breaks. Regardless of numbers, a break room may be required where safety or health protection demand it.
How big does an office have to be?
Under ASR A1.2, at least 8 m² for one workstation and 6 m² for each additional one – so an office for three employees needs at least 20 m². For a floor area of up to 50 m², the clear room height should be at least 2.50 m.
Does the Workplace Ordinance apply to working from home?
Parts of the ordinance apply to telework workstations that the employer has permanently set up in the employee's home, for example on the design of the display screen workstation. Occasional mobile working is not telework within the meaning of the ordinance.
Terms from the glossary
This guide gives a general overview of German occupational safety law and does not replace legal advice. The regulations in force and the rules of the statutory accident insurance institutions are authoritative.
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