A utility-scale battery storage site brings civil works, heavy-load logistics, DC voltage and grid connection together on one site, often with many contractors under an EPC model. SAFETEE coordinates health and safety from the start of planning to handover: as SiGeKo under the German Construction Site Ordinance and with HSE management on site.
A battery energy storage system (BESS) stores electricity in lithium-ion batteries, usually in containers on an open site, with inverters, transformers and its own grid connection. SAFETEE coordinates health and safety during construction and commissioning: SiGeKo under the German Construction Site Ordinance, HSE management on site and permit processes for work on high-voltage equipment. For developers, investors, EPC contractors and operators.
Battery modules already hold energy when they are delivered. DC circuits cannot simply be isolated like a grid feeder, and a DC arc is harder to extinguish. Permits therefore start before the first cable is connected.
If a cell goes into thermal runaway, flammable and toxic gases are released and re-ignition is possible. Separation distances, fire water, gas detection and fire brigade access belong in the construction sequence.
Civil works, foundations, heavy transports, container installation, cable pulling, substation and commissioning often run in parallel and across several contractors. Safety is decided at the interfaces.
In the project, we work operationally on site. Our Safety Consulting advises clients and investors separately. The two roles complement each other and are filled by different people.
Planning and execution-phase coordination for storage field, cable routes and grid connection, with health and safety plan and file for later work.
HSE managers for the client or EPC contractor: inductions, inspections, KPIs and coordination with authorities, fire brigade and statutory accident insurance.
Site access, permit to work, lockout-tagout-tryout (LOTOTO) and the last minute risk analysis before critical steps, through to handover to operations.
For investors and project buyers: assessment of HSE organisation, permit conditions and construction sequence of a storage project before acquisition or financing.
For operators: duties and liability around construction, handover and operation, from organisation to documentation.
Battery strings operate at high DC voltage. Work on them is carried out by qualified electricians, following the five safety rules of DIN VDE 0105-100 and with a named nominated person in control.
Connecting, measuring and switching can cause an arc flash. Protective equipment follows the risk assessment, with DGUV Information 203-077 as guidance.
Damaged or mishandled cells can go into thermal runaway. Storage, transport, installation and the fire safety concept are therefore aligned.
Cell failure releases flammable and toxic gases, including hydrogen fluoride. Gas detection, ventilation and pressure relief belong in the design; in an incident, keep your distance.
Storage containers and transformers arrive as heavy transports. We plan delivery windows, routes, turning areas and laydown before the first transport.
A mobile crane sets containers and transformers. Lifting gear, ground bearing capacity, wind limits and exclusion zones are checked and released before every lift.
At the point of connection, the construction site meets grid operation. Switching authority, responsibility for the installation and work near high voltage (Annex II No. 4 BaustellV) are agreed in advance.
Foundations, cable trenches and earthing systems mean excavations, existing utilities and slopes. Before the first dig we check utility plans and define shoring.
HSE has the greatest effect before the construction sequence is fixed. Planning separation distances, deliveries, crane pads and permit processes early avoids re-planning and downtime later.
SiGeKo in the planning phase, prior notice, health and safety plan, alignment of logistics, fire safety and fire brigade access.
Civil works, foundations and cable routes, delivery and setting of containers, installation in the substation.
Permit process with permit to work, LOTOTO and LMRA, switching authorities, tests under voltage.
File for later work, handover of permit and emergency organisation to operations.
Under § 3 BaustellV, the coordinator is to be appointed for the planning of execution. For BESS this means: before the layout, delivery concept and commissioning sequence are fixed.
Who provides the SiGeKo, who runs the work permits and who is responsible for the installation until handover belongs in the contract. That closes gaps between client, EPC contractor and subcontractors.
Sources: Federal Network Agency (BNetzA), energy storage topic page (accessed 29 Sep 2026); German Solar Association (BSW-Solar), release of 3 May 2026.
According to the Federal Network Agency, large-scale batteries with about 2.4 GW and 3.2 GWh were in operation on 15 October 2025, with a further 5.0 GW and 10.4 GWh planned. At the end of 2024, the transmission system operators held about 650 connection requests totalling 226 GW. Not every request gets built, but the volume shows the pipeline. Source: BNetzA.
The BVES safety guideline for lithium-ion large-scale storage systems was published in its third edition in December 2025, developed with DGUV, BG ETEM, AGBF, VdS and the German Fire Brigade Association, among others. The vfdb information sheet TWB-02 (February 2025) covers thermal runaway, gases and firefighting tactics. Sources: BVES, vfdb.
DIN EN IEC 62933-5-2 (VDE 0520-933-5-2):2021-11 covers the safety of grid-integrated electrochemical energy storage systems; a revised draft was published in 2025-08. DIN EN IEC 62485-5 (VDE 0510-485-5):2021-12 covers the safe operation of stationary lithium-ion batteries. Sources: DKE, DIN Media.
Under DGUV Regulation 3, work on electrical installations requires qualified electricians. DIN VDE 0105-100 governs the operation of electrical installations, with nominated persons in control of the installation and of the work, and the five safety rules. DGUV Information 203-077 (09/2020) supports the selection of arc flash protective equipment. Sources: DGUV, BG ETEM.
Installed base, plans and connection requests for large-scale batteries (German).
Findings on lithium-ion battery storage systems, February 2025 (German).
Guideline for lithium-ion large-scale storage systems, 3rd edition, December 2025 (German).
Safety of grid-integrated electrochemical energy storage systems (VDE 0520-933-5-2).
Thermal hazards from arc faults, selection of PPE, 09/2020 (German).
Coordinator, prior notice, health and safety plan; Annex II particularly hazardous work (German).
Last updated: 29 Sep 2026
Coordination under BaustellV from planning to the file for later work.
HSE managers on site for client, EPC contractor or subcontractor.
Access, induction and coordination of all companies on site.
Last minute risk analysis via app before critical work steps.
Wind energy, battery storage, repowering, grid expansion and industry at a glance.
As a rule, yes. The German Construction Site Ordinance applies to building a battery storage site like any other site. As soon as employees of several employers work there, such as civil works, crane company, container supplier and electrical installation, the client appoints a coordinator. If construction lasts more than 30 working days with more than 20 workers at the same time, or exceeds 500 person-days, prior notice is also required.
High DC voltage from the first battery module, arc flash when connecting and switching, thermal runaway with fire and toxic gases, heavy transports and crane lifts for containers and transformers, work at the grid connection near high voltage, and excavation for foundations and cable routes. What matters is that these hazards come together in one health and safety plan.
The duties under the Construction Site Ordinance lie with the client, who may commission a third party such as the EPC contractor (§ 4 BaustellV). Independently, employers coordinate under § 8 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act, and under § 6 DGUV Regulation 1 the principal appoints a person to align work with mutual hazards. The contract should state who takes which role.
The SiGeKo needs construction and occupational safety expertise plus coordinator knowledge under RAB 30. Work on electrical installations is carried out by qualified electricians under DGUV Regulation 3, and the person responsible for the installation under DIN VDE 0105-100 must be named. HSE managers on storage sites should also be fully familiar with the project's high-voltage permit procedures and fire safety requirements.
With the planning of execution, at the latest before the layout, delivery concept and EPC contract are fixed. Under § 3 BaustellV, the coordinator is to be appointed for the planning phase. Early on, separation distances, crane pads, fire brigade access and the commissioning sequence can still be set without re-planning.
In an incident, a cell can go into thermal runaway, release flammable and toxic gases and re-ignite. Guidance such as the vfdb information sheet TWB-02 and the BVES safety guideline recommends, among other things, distances between containers, fire water retention, gas detection, response documents for the fire brigade and early coordination with the fire prevention authority.
A permit to work is a written authorisation for a specific task at a specific place and time. LOTOTO (lockout-tagout-tryout) secures energy sources: switch off, lock against re-energising, tag and verify effectiveness. At a battery storage site this applies to the AC side and to the battery strings, which supply energy even without the grid.
For both. As SiGeKo we act on behalf of the client. We provide HSE management for the client, EPC contractor or subcontractors. If we hold several roles in the same project, we staff them with different people and set out responsibilities in writing.
Power and capacity, location, planned start of construction and contract model: with these details we estimate the coordination effort and get back to you within one working day.
