First aiders and fire wardens in Germany: how many does a company need?
How many first aiders and fire wardens do the rules require, how does training work and when is the refresher due? With a calculation example, first-aid kit overview and checklist.
Last updated on 8 min readAMS Go editorial team
Key points at a glance
- Employers must name employees who take on first aid, firefighting and evacuation tasks (Section 10 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act, ArbSchG).
- First aiders: at least one for 2 to 20 insured persons present; above that 5% in administration and retail and 10% in other companies (Section 26 DGUV Regulation 1).
- Fire wardens: with a normal fire risk, 5% of employees is usually enough (ASR A2.2) – more with a higher risk.
- First aiders take a refresher course every two years; fire warden training is repeated every two to five years depending on the risk assessment.
Who has to provide first aiders and fire wardens?
Every employer must make provision for emergencies. Section 10 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act obliges them to name employees who take on first aid, firefighting and evacuation tasks. The details are set out in DGUV Regulation 1 “Principles of prevention” for first aid and the Technical Rule for Workplaces ASR A2.2 “Measures against fires” for fire safety.
How many people are needed depends on the number of employees present, the type of company and the risk assessment. Importantly, first aiders (Ersthelfer) and fire wardens (Brandschutzhelfer) must be available throughout working hours – in every shift and during holiday periods. In very small companies, the employer can take on the tasks themselves if they are trained accordingly.
How many first aiders does a company need?
The minimum number of first aiders is set by Section 26 DGUV Regulation 1. What counts is the number of insured persons present at the same time:
Insured persons present 2 to 20
Administration and retail1 first aider
Other companies1 first aider
more than 20
Administration and retail5% of those present
Other companies10% of those present
Above a certain size, company paramedics (Betriebssanitäter) are also required – for example if more than 1,500 insured persons are present at a site or more than 100 on a construction site (Section 27 DGUV Regulation 1).
Training and refresher courses for first aiders
- 1
First-aid training
First aiders complete first-aid training of 9 teaching units with a provider authorised by the statutory accident insurance institutions.
- 2
Refresher every two years
To remain first aiders, they usually take a refresher course every two years – also 9 teaching units.
- 3
Costs and time off
Course fees are usually covered by the employers' liability insurance association (Berufsgenossenschaft) or public accident insurance fund (Unfallkasse). The employer gives employees time off for the courses.
- 4
Name them and make them known
Name the first aiders and make them known in the company – for example with a notice showing names, location and emergency numbers.
How many first-aid kits are needed?
Besides trained people, you need materials. How many first-aid kits must be available is set by the technical rule ASR A4.3. Small first-aid kits comply with DIN 13157, large ones with DIN 13169. Two small kits can be used instead of one large one.
Administration and retail
Employees and first-aid kits1–50: 1 small · 51–300: 1 large · 301–600: 2 large · per further 300: 1 additional large
Manufacturing and processing
Employees and first-aid kits1–20: 1 small · 21–100: 1 large · 101–200: 2 large · per further 100: 1 additional large
First-aid kits must be easily accessible, marked and complete. Used or expired material is replaced immediately.
How many fire wardens does a company need?
Fire wardens are governed by ASR A2.2. With a normal fire risk – such as in offices – 5% of employees is usually sufficient. More fire wardens may be needed, for example, with:
- an increased fire risk, for example due to flammable substances or hot work
- shift work and absences due to holidays or illness
- extensive premises with several buildings or floors
- many people from outside the company, such as visitors, customers or patients
- people with limited mobility who need help in an evacuation
Training fire wardens
What fire wardens learn is described in DGUV Information 205-023 “Fire wardens”. The training consists of a theoretical part and a practical exercise with the fire extinguishing equipment available in the company. Topics include:
- Basics of fire protection
- The company's fire safety organisation and what to do in a fire
- How fire extinguishing equipment works
- Hazards from fires, such as smoke
- Practical extinguishing exercise with fire extinguishers
The training should be repeated regularly – every two to five years depending on the risk assessment. Regardless of this, all employees are informed about what to do in a fire and how to use fire extinguishers as part of their annual safety instruction.
First aiders and fire wardens at a glance
Legal basis
First aidersSection 10 ArbSchG, Sections 26 ff. DGUV Regulation 1
Fire wardensSection 10 ArbSchG, ASR A2.2
Number
First aiders1 for 2–20 present, above that 5% or 10%
Fire wardensusually 5% of employees
Training
First aiders9 teaching units with an authorised provider
Fire wardensTheory and practical extinguishing exercise
Repetition
First aidersevery 2 years
Fire wardensevery 2 to 5 years
Checklist: first aiders and fire wardens
- Number of first aiders per shift determined under Section 26 DGUV Regulation 1
- Number of fire wardens set according to ASR A2.2 and the risk assessment
- Reserve for holidays, illness and shift changes planned
- First aiders and fire wardens named and made known in the company
- Training and refresher dates planned and documented
- First-aid kits according to ASR A4.3 available and complete
- All employees instructed on what to do in a fire
Free templates for this guide
As PDF and Excel, no sign-up – free to use in your own company.
Frequently asked questions
How many first aiders does a company with 50 employees need?
That depends on the type of company: in administration and retail it is 5% of 50 insured persons present, i.e. at least 3 first aiders when rounded up. In other companies, such as manufacturing, it is 10%, i.e. at least 5.
How often must first aiders take a refresher course?
Usually every two years, with a refresher of 9 teaching units with an authorised provider.
Who pays for first-aid training?
Course fees are usually covered by the responsible statutory accident insurance institution if the training or refresher takes place with an authorised provider. The employer gives participants time off for it.
Can a first aider also be a fire warden?
Yes, if the person is trained for both tasks. When planning, however, bear in mind that they cannot be needed in two places at once in an emergency.
Do small companies need a fire warden too?
Yes. Even in small companies, the employer must name employees for firefighting (Section 10 ArbSchG). They can also take on the task themselves if they are trained accordingly.
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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