Starting point
Where employees of several employers work on a construction site, their hazards may interact. Under the conditions of the German Construction Site Ordinance, the client appoints one or more suitable coordinators.
Technical basis
The Ordinance distinguishes planning and execution. Typical duties include coordinating general principles, contributing to the safety and health plan, aligning shared facilities and organising cooperation. RAB 30 specifies suitability requirements.
Responsibility boundaries
Appointment does not release the client from responsibility, and each employer remains responsible for its employees. The coordinator's specific duties follow from law, contract, project organisation and the tasks actually assumed.
Common mistakes
Late appointment, missing authority, confusing coordination with direct trade supervision, outdated plans and unclear interfaces to construction management are recurring weaknesses.
Commissioning checklist
Define project phase, tasks, access to information, meetings, documentation, escalation and deputy arrangements. Planning and execution services should be named separately.
Frequently asked questions
Is a coordinator required on every site?
No. The conditions must be assessed under the Construction Site Ordinance, including whether employees of several employers will work on the site.
Does the coordinator automatically have authority to issue instructions?
No general authority follows automatically from the title. Any powers must be defined for the project and contract.
Technical foundations
The specific operational and project situation must always be assessed.