Emergency Response Officer

The German workplace emergency response covers all personal, organisational and material measures by which the employer ensures first aid, fire fighting and evacuation in emergencies. The legal foundations are § 10 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (ArbSchG), § 4 of the Workplace Ordinance (ArbStättV), DGUV Vorschrift 1 (Principles of Prevention) with § 24 (general first aid duties), § 25 (material resources) and § 26 (number and training of first aiders), plus the Technical Rules for Workplaces ASR A4.3 (first aid rooms, materials and facilities) and ASR A2.3 (escape routes, exits and the evacuation plan).

The personal core is the first aider system. § 26 Para. 1 DGUV Vorschrift 1 sets two quotas: in administrative and trading operations at least 10 percent of the simultaneously present insured persons must be trained first aiders, in other operations (production, construction, workshops) at least 5 percent. The quota refers to staff present at the same time, not to the total headcount; in shift operations it must be met per shift. Initial training under DGUV Principle 304-001 runs for nine lecture units and refresher training under § 26 Para. 3 must be completed every two years, again with nine units.

Material equipment follows § 25 DGUV Vorschrift 1 and ASR A4.3: first aid kit per DIN 13157 (small, up to 50 administrative employees) or DIN 13169 (large, higher headcounts and production), the incident logbook (Verbandbuch) under § 24 Para. 6 with a five-year retention, posted emergency numbers and names of first aiders, and a first aid room from 1,000 employees or particular hazards under ASR A4.3 Annex 2. Fire safety helpers (Brandschutzhelfer at 5 percent under ASR A2.2) are a separate role and must not be conflated with first aiders.

The obligation to designate first aiders applies from the first employee. § 26 Para. 1 DGUV Vorschrift 1 sets two quotas: in administrative and trading operations at least 10 percent of the simultaneously present insured persons, in other operations at least 5 percent. Small operations with up to 20 employees need at least one trained first aider; from 21 employees the quota applies. In shift operations the quota applies per shift because first aid must be available immediately. Vacation and sick leave must be covered through reserve first aiders.

Training is delivered by a Berufsgenossenschaft-authorised provider (Johanniter, Malteser, ASB, DRK, DLRG, BG academies) under DGUV Principle 304-001. Initial training is nine lecture units (previously 16, reduced in 2015), refresher every two years also nine units. Under § 23 Para. 2 SGB VII the responsible Berufsgenossenschaft funds the training through its contributions where an authorised provider is used. The appointment itself need not be in writing, but documentation (training certificate, notice with names) is mandatory. Brandschutzhelfer (fire safety helpers) under ASR A2.2 Section 7.3 (5 percent) are a separate role with their own training; one person can hold both roles, but the training duties apply individually.