Technical Rules for Workplaces (ASR)

Ensuring the safety of users and the proper fit-out of your property is essential. The German Workplace Ordinance (ArbStättV) sets out detailed requirements for the design and operation of workplaces.

It provides binding specifications for, among other things, circulation routes, escape and emergency routes, storage areas, plant and machine rooms, welfare facilities, break rooms, first-aid rooms and accommodation areas. The objective of the ArbStättV is to protect employees in workplaces and to prevent occupational accidents and work-related illnesses. This includes, for example, fall accidents caused by defective floors or staircases, transport accidents resulting from unsuitable or insufficiently dimensioned circulation routes, serious injuries caused by the shattering of glass partitions, or health impairments due to excessive noise levels.

In addition, the ArbStättV defines requirements for air quality, thermal comfort and lighting conditions, and sets standards for appropriate welfare facilities, in particular sanitary and rest areas.

Workplace regulations define the requirements for designing work environments. They are based on the German Workplace Ordinance (ArbStättV) and are further specified through the Technical Rules for Workplaces (ASR).

Their objective is to ensure that working conditions sustainably support employee health, safety and performance. This goes beyond accident prevention and, particularly in modern work environments, includes factors such as ergonomics, lighting quality, indoor climate and acoustics.

Safety and the proper fit-out of buildings are essential. The ArbStättV sets out detailed requirements for the design of workplaces, including specifications for circulation routes, escape routes, storage areas, technical rooms, social spaces, break rooms, first-aid rooms and accommodation where applicable.

The aim of the ArbStättV is to protect employees in workplaces and offices and to prevent workplace accidents and occupational illnesses—for example, falls due to damaged flooring or stairs, transport accidents caused by inadequate or narrow circulation routes, serious injuries from shattered glass walls or health issues resulting from excessive noise exposure.

In addition, the ArbStättV defines requirements for air quality, thermal conditions and lighting, and sets standards for appropriate social facilities, particularly sanitary and rest areas.

Die Arbeitsstättenverordnung (ArbStättV) ist die verbindliche gesetzliche Grundlage für die Gestaltung von Arbeitsstätten in Deutschland. Sie verpflichtet Arbeitgeber dazu, Arbeitsplätze so einzurichten und zu betreiben, dass keine Gefährdung für die Beschäftigten entsteht.

Sie definiert grundlegende Anforderungen an:

• Raumabmessungen und Flächen
• Verkehrs- und Fluchtwege
• Beleuchtung und Sichtverbindung nach außen
• Raumklima und Lüftung
• Lärmbelastung
• Sanitär- und Pausenräume

Die konkrete Ausgestaltung wird durch die ASR näher bestimmt.

The Technical Rules for Workplaces (ASR) specify and clarify the requirements of the German Workplace Ordinance (ArbStättV). They replaced the former workplace guidelines issued under the Workplace Ordinance of 1975. However, the ASR themselves also became invalid at the beginning of 2013.

Nevertheless, the provisions of these two obsolete workplace guidelines continue to serve as reference values when designing and operating workplaces. Deviations from the guidelines are only permitted if the employer implements alternative measures that are equally effective and achieve the same level of protection as defined by the ASR.

Within an office environment, employees are not exposed to hazardous materials or machinery. Nevertheless, occupational health and safety regulations also apply to office work. Here, we provide a collection of all relevant office-specific requirements.

In offices, a number of aspects must be observed with regard to the Workplace Ordinance and workplace guidelines. Below is a summary of the most important values at a glance:

Office floor area: 8 m² (plus at least 5 m² for each additional employee)
Window area: 10% of the room area
Illuminance at office workstations: 500 lux
Noise level: <65 dB(A) or 50 dB(A)
Room temperature: 19–25°C

A labour inspector monitors compliance with these reference values in the workplace. If deficiencies are identified, an improvement notice is issued first and guidance is provided. If no improvements are made thereafter, the labour inspector may file a report with the local administrative authority.

ASR A1.2 does not define a fixed area per workstation but specifies requirements for minimum floor space, movement areas and ceiling heights – depending on use, layout and way of working.

In practice, the following benchmark values have become established:

• approx. 8–10 m² per workstation for standard office activities
• additional space required for furniture, circulation routes and shared areas

What matters is not only the total area, but above all the functional usability of the space.

In practice, it becomes clear that simply meeting minimum requirements is often not sufficient to create effective and functional work environments.

An office for two people should typically be at least 12 to 16 m² in size, depending on furniture and usage. Adequate movement and circulation space must also be taken into account.

The required space per workstation depends on the type of work, the furniture and the overall spatial organization. In practice, approximately 8 to 13 m² per person is commonly used as a guideline.

The German Workplace Ordinance (ArbStättV) requires that workspaces receive sufficient daylight and provide a visual connection to the outside. A commonly used planning benchmark is a window area of around 10% of the floor space.

In principle, the ArbStättV requires access to daylight and a visual connection to the outside. However, under certain conditions, exceptions are possible if appropriate compensatory measures are implemented.

ASR A3.7 provides guideline values for noise exposure depending on the type of activity.

For office workplaces, the following applies:

• approx. 50 dB(A) for focused work
• up to 65 dB(A) for simple tasks

These values serve as benchmarks for a healthy working environment.

Especially in open-plan office concepts, acoustic planning is becoming increasingly important. In such settings, solutions like acoustic booths for focused individual work or dedicated retreat spaces should be provided.

The permissible noise level depends largely on the type of activity. The higher the cognitive demand, the lower the ambient noise should be.

ASR A3.5 defines requirements for room temperature depending on the type of activity.

For office work, the following applies:

• minimum 19°C
• from 26°C, measures must be taken
• from 30°C, effective measures are mandatory

In addition, factors such as humidity, air movement and solar exposure play an important role.

The temperature must be set in a way that enables healthy and focused work. Both minimum requirements and measures for high temperatures need to be taken into account.

Circulation routes must be designed to be safe, sufficiently dimensioned and usable at all times.

This includes ensuring adequate width, keeping routes free of obstacles and providing safe escape options.

The required width depends on the type of use and the number of people.

The ASR defines requirements depending on the type of use. The key factor is that circulation routes must allow safe and unobstructed use at all times.

The movement area must be dimensioned in a way that allows employees to perform their tasks without restrictions. The decisive factor is the actual use of the workstation.

In practice, a minimum distance of 80 to 100 cm is generally recommended to ensure sufficient freedom of movement.

The required ceiling height depends on the floor area and the intended use. The goal is to ensure sufficient air volume and a comfortable spatial quality.

Ergonomics is a core component of workplace regulations and relates both to workplace design and its use.

An ergonomic workstation includes appropriate furniture, properly positioned screens and sufficient freedom of movement.

In addition, employers are required to instruct employees on the correct ergonomic use of their workplace.

An ergonomic workstation enables varied postures, reduces physical strain and supports long-term health.

Workplace regulations go beyond minimum requirements. They provide the foundation for functional work environments – but always need to be interpreted in the context of actual use.

In practice, it becomes clear:
It is not the mere compliance with minimum standards that defines quality, but how these requirements are translated into effective, functional spaces.

When it comes to office environments, there are several key aspects to consider under the German Workplace Ordinance (ArbStättV) and related regulations. Below is a concise overview of the most important benchmark values:

• Office space: 8 m² (plus at least 5 m² for each additional employee)
• Window area: 10% of the floor space
• Illuminance: 500 lux
• Noise level: <65 dB(A), ideally around 50 dB(A)
• Room temperature: 19–25°C

Compliance with these requirements is monitored by occupational health and safety authorities. If deficiencies are identified, an improvement notice is typically issued first, along with guidance on corrective measures. If no improvements are made, the authority may escalate the case to the relevant administrative body.