Lesson 3.2 · 4 min
The short form for up to ten employees
Open in the coursewith narrated slides, a checklist to tick off and a quiz
At a glance
- One sheet instead of a binder. For workplaces with no more than ten regular workers, the annex to the DOK-VO has a simple form.
- Only without hazards that need measures. The short form applies only if there are no hazards for which protective measures must be set.
- What goes on the form. Workplace and address, number of workers, the statement that no hazards needing protective measures were found, who carried out the assessment, date and signature.
- One measure, and it's the full form. If even one hazard needs a protective measure, the short form isn't enough. Then the full contents under § 2 DOK-VO apply.
- The sheet doesn't replace the assessment. The form records the result. The hazards still have to be identified and assessed.
In detail
When the short form is allowed
The safety and health documents for workplaces with no more than ten regular workers, in which there are no hazards for which protective measures must be set, may follow the annex to the DOK-VO § 2a DOK-VO. Both conditions must be met.
What goes on the form
The annex to the DOK-VO provides for:
- the name and address of the workplace;
- the number of people employed at the time of the assessment;
- the statement: "In the identification and assessment of hazards (§ 4 ASchG), no hazards to workers were found for which protective measures would have to be set.";
- who carried out the assessment, date and signature.
When it isn't enough
As soon as a hazard is found for which a protective measure must be set, the second condition of § 2a is no longer met. Then the document needs the contents under § 2 DOK-VO: hazards, measures, owners and deadlines § 2(1) DOK-VO. Whether there is no such hazard only follows from the assessment itself § 4 ASchG; the form merely records that result.
Checklist
- No more than ten people work regularly at our workplace.
- Our assessment found no hazard for which a protective measure must be set.
- The form is complete: workplace, address, workers, who, date, signature.
- As soon as a measure becomes necessary, we switch to the full form.
Quiz
When may the short form under § 2a DOK-VO be used?
- Whenever it's an office
- In workplaces with no more than ten regular workers, if there are no hazards for which protective measures must be set
- In every business with up to 50 employees
- If the inspectorate agrees
Show the answer
The answer is B: In workplaces with no more than ten regular workers, if there are no hazards for which protective measures must be set. § 2a DOK-VO ties the short form to both conditions: at most ten regular workers, and no hazards for which protective measures must be set.
Sources
This lesson's statements rest on:
Not legal advice. What counts is the Workers Protection Act (ASchG) and its regulations in the Federal Legal Information System (read on 4 October 2026). Rules for areas outside the ASchG, such as agriculture and forestry or the public service, and special rules for particular substances or sectors are not covered. Not an offer of the Labour Inspectorate, the AUVA or the Chamber of Commerce.