A safety and health coordinator (SiGeKo) is mandatory under § 3 of the German Construction Site Ordinance (BaustellV) as soon as employees of several employers work on a site. The client or a commissioned third party must appoint one. SAFETEE provides coordinators qualified under RAB 30 for planning and execution phases, optionally combined with an HSE manager on site.
Dipl.-Ing. Marc Riegel
Geschäftsführer · Dipl.-Ing. Sicherheitstechnik
Managing Director · Dipl.-Ing. Safety Engineering
When is a safety and health coordinator (SiGeKo) mandatory?
A safety and health coordinator (Sicherheits- und Gesundheitsschutzkoordinator, SiGeKo) is mandatory as soon as employees of at least two employers work on a construction site (§ 3 para. 1 German Construction Site Ordinance, BaustellV). According to RAB 10 no. 12, this covers not only simultaneous work but also trades following one another. Size, type of construction and duration play no role for this obligation. They only decide on the advance notice and the safety and health plan (SiGe-Plan). (BaustellV, RAB 10; as of 29.09.2026)
In practice this affects almost every commercial construction site. A shell construction firm, an electrician, a crane company and the manufacturer's installation team already make four employers. RAB 10 names exceptions for short activities such as pure material deliveries, acceptance inspections or exclusively supervisory work. Likewise, a site is not regarded as shared if it is completely cleared and set up anew between two firms. We are happy to assess whether your situation falls under these exceptions.
Who must appoint the SiGeKo, and who stays responsible?
The client (Bauherr) is responsible. The client can commission a third party, for example a project manager, to take the measures required by the Construction Site Ordinance on its own responsibility (§ 4 BaustellV). Client or commissioned third party may also take over the coordination themselves if they are suitable. Appointing a coordinator does not release the client from its responsibility (§ 3 para. 1a BaustellV). (as of 29.09.2026)
For managing directors and project managers this means: selecting a suitable coordinator, giving a clear assignment and following up on the coordinator's work are part of their own organisation. A written assignment with scope of services, attendance times and authority is not required by law, but it makes this organisation demonstrable.
When are an advance notice and a SiGe-Plan required?
The advance notice to the competent occupational safety authority is required if the work is expected to last longer than 30 working days with more than 20 employees working at the same time, or if the volume exceeds 500 person-days. It must reach the authority at the latest two weeks before the site is set up and be posted visibly on site (§ 2 para. 2 BaustellV). (as of 29.09.2026)
A safety and health plan (SiGe-Plan) must be drawn up before the site is set up if employees of several employers are active and, in addition, an advance notice is required or particularly hazardous work under Annex II is carried out (§ 2 para. 3 BaustellV). Such work includes, among others, work with a risk of falling from a height of more than 7 metres and work near high-voltage lines.
Checklist: Which duties under the Construction Site Ordinance apply to your site?
- Two or more employers, at the same time or one after another? Appoint a coordinator, already in the planning phase (§ 3 paras. 1 and 2 BaustellV).
- More than 30 working days and more than 20 employees at the same time, or more than 500 person-days? Advance notice at the latest two weeks before the site is set up, posted on site (§ 2 para. 2).
- Several employers and an advance notice or particularly hazardous work under Annex II? SiGe-Plan before the site is set up (§ 2 para. 3).
- Several employers? Compile the documentation for subsequent work on the structure (§ 3 para. 2).
- Planning the execution? Take the general principles under § 4 of the German Occupational Safety and Health Act (ArbSchG) into account (§ 2 para. 1).
- Recommendation, not a legal duty: put the coordinator's assignment in writing, with scope of services, presence on site and authority.
What does a SiGeKo do in the planning and execution phases?
In the planning phase the SiGeKo coordinates the occupational safety measures of the planning, draws up the SiGe-Plan and compiles the documentation for subsequent work (§ 3 para. 2 BaustellV). In the execution phase the SiGeKo coordinates the application of the occupational safety principles, makes sure the employers meet their duties, adapts the SiGe-Plan and organises the cooperation between employers (§ 3 para. 3). (as of 29.09.2026)
On sites with many trades this means in concrete terms: checking the schedule for overlaps, for example crane work next to ongoing installation or work above one another. Aligning shared facilities such as scaffolding, traffic routes and escape and rescue routes. Carrying out site inspections with minutes and chairing safety meetings with the firms. The boundary is clearly defined: the SiGeKo coordinates. Risk assessment, instruction and protective equipment for their own employees remain the duty of each individual employer (§ 5 para. 3 BaustellV).
What qualification does a SiGeKo need?
The Construction Site Ordinance requires a suitable coordinator. RAB 30 (as of 27.03.2003) specifies what that means: construction expertise, occupational safety expertise, specific coordinator knowledge and professional experience in the planning or execution of construction projects. In addition come skills in communication, teamwork and moderation. A course certificate alone does not fully prove suitability. (BAuA, RAB 30; retrieved on 29.09.2026)
When selecting, also look for experience with your type of construction. A wind farm with a heavy-lift crane, rotor blade installation and rescue at height sets different requirements than an office building. Our page SiGeKo on wind farms describes what matters there.
What does a SiGeKo cost?
There is no statutory fee regulation for SiGeKo services, and the HOAI (German fee schedule for architects and engineers) contains no service profile for them. The fee is agreed freely. A common point of reference is AHO publication series no. 15 (3rd edition, June 2022; in German). Its fee model is based mainly on the chargeable construction costs and the construction period, and provides surcharges for example for building in existing structures or for contamination. (AHO; retrieved on 29.09.2026)
In practice the effort is determined mainly by these factors:
- Service phases: planning only, execution only or both
- Construction period, number of employers and overlaps between trades
- Particularly hazardous work under Annex II BaustellV
- Required presence: regular site inspections or permanent attendance
- Location, travel, language and documentation requirements of the client
- Combination with an HSE manager on site
We will give you a reliable price after reviewing your schedule and service description.
What happens if no SiGeKo has been appointed?
The occupational safety authorities supervise compliance with the Construction Site Ordinance and can order measures. Under § 7 para. 1 BaustellV, anyone commits an administrative offence in particular who fails to submit a required advance notice, or to submit it in time, or who fails to ensure that a SiGe-Plan is drawn up before the site is set up. Anyone who thereby wilfully endangers the life or health of employees commits a criminal offence (§ 7 para. 2 BaustellV, § 26 ArbSchG). (as of 29.09.2026)
After an accident, it is also examined whether the client had organised its duties. How this is assessed in an individual case depends heavily on the facts. Ask us, and we will give you a professional assessment of your situation.
How does SAFETEE support you?
We provide SiGeKo for the planning and execution phases: advance notice, SiGe-Plan, documentation for subsequent work, site inspections and coordination of the firms on site. On large construction sites and in wind farms, many clients combine the coordination with an HSE manager on the project who is on site every day. You will find all details of the service on the page Safety coordination at construction sites.
Does a private building project also need a SiGeKo?
Yes, if employees of several employers work on the site. The Construction Site Ordinance does not distinguish between commercial and private clients. For a single-family house with a shell construction firm, a carpenter and an electrical contractor, the obligation is therefore usually met. Advance notice and SiGe-Plan, by contrast, depend on the scope and the hazard level of the work.
Can the client take over the SiGeKo tasks themselves?
Yes. Under § 3 para. 1 BaustellV, the client or a third party commissioned by the client can perform the coordinator's tasks themselves. The prerequisite is that the person is suitable, that is, has the knowledge and experience described in RAB 30. Responsibility for the organisation always remains with the client.
When should the SiGeKo be appointed?
As early as possible, at the latest when the execution is planned. The Construction Site Ordinance assigns tasks to the coordinator already in the planning phase: coordinating measures, drawing up the SiGe-Plan, compiling the documentation for subsequent work. Anyone who appoints a coordinator only at the start of construction can often resolve schedule overlaps only with additional effort.
How long before must the advance notice reach the authority?
At the latest two weeks before the site is set up. The advance notice goes to the competent occupational safety authority and must be posted visibly on site. If the site changes significantly, it is updated. Its content is set out in Annex I of the Construction Site Ordinance, including the client, coordinators, duration and number of employees.
Is a SiGe-Plan the same as an HSE plan?
Not quite. The SiGe-Plan is the document required by law under the Construction Site Ordinance, which the coordinator prepares and updates for the client. An HSE plan is the project-specific safety concept that clients in industrial and international projects often require in addition. In practice the two documents can be aligned with each other.
What is the documentation for subsequent work?
A compilation of the safety-relevant features of the structure for work after completion, such as maintenance, inspection and repair. It shows, for example, anchor points, access routes and hazards. The coordinator compiles it in the planning phase (§ 3 para. 2 BaustellV). It remains important beyond the construction period for the operation of the facility.
What is the difference between a SiGeKo and an HSE manager?
The SiGeKo is a role under the Construction Site Ordinance: appointed by the client, the SiGeKo coordinates the employers on the site. The HSE manager is a management function not defined by law, steering occupational safety, health and environmental protection in the project on site every day. The two roles can be combined. More in our basics article on the HSE manager.
Does SAFETEE also take over the coordination in wind farms?
Yes. SAFETEE coordinates construction sites in wind farms from planning to commissioning, including alignment with the manufacturers' installation teams, crane and transport firms. Particularities such as rescue at height, weather limits and long escape and rescue routes are built into the SiGe-Plan and site inspections. You will find details on the page SiGeKo on wind farms.
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