Work with a proven HSE Consultant in Germany vetted and available for your project from over 15,000 CVs with the power of AI.
Access independent specialists for workplace safety audits, environmental compliance, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 certifications, and German occupational health regulations. Get matched with vetted, available freelance professionals tailored to your industry.
About the role
Navigating German Health and Safety Regulations
Operating in Germany requires strict adherence to a complex web of national and European laws. Freelance health, safety, and environmental professionals help companies navigate the German occupational health and safety act (ArbSchG), the safety at work act (ASiG), and the mandatory regulations of the German social accident insurance institutions (Berufsgenossenschaften). They ensure your operations remain legally compliant, preventing costly shutdowns and liability issues.
Key Deliverables of Freelance HSE Specialists
- Creation and updating of legally required risk assessments (Gefährdungsbeurteilungen)
- Design and implementation of ISO 45001 (Safety) and ISO 14001 (Environment) management systems
- Actionable reports from workplace audits and site safety inspections
- Incident investigation, root cause analysis, and preventive action planning
- Hazardous substance management concepts and waste disposal documentation
- Tailored safety training programs and mandatory briefings for the operating workforce
Industry-Specific Safety and Environmental Expertise
Industrial environments in Germany demand highly specialized knowledge. Freelance consultants bring deep expertise tailored to specific sectors such as automotive manufacturing, chemical processing, heavy construction, and renewable energy. Whether managing hazardous materials in a chemical park, coordinating construction site safety (SiGeKo), or optimizing waste management in a production plant, these experts understand the unique technical risks and environmental challenges of your industry.
Why Hire a Freelance HSE Expert
External consultants provide an objective, unbiased view of your company safety culture and environmental compliance. Companies often bring in freelance experts to manage peak workloads, such as major plant shutdowns, construction phases, or transitions to new international standards. They also fill temporary resource gaps, prepare organizations for upcoming regulatory audits, or act as external safety officers (Fachkraft für Arbeitssicherheit) during organizational transitions.
Meet FRATCH HSE Consultants
Frank Meier
Executive Interim Consultant | Managing Director FMB Tec GmbH
Last position:
EHS / Product HSE Manager at Deutsche Bundesmarine
PHSE engineering and management Project management in a global industrial company and with the end customer German Federal Navy
Dieter Hummitzsch
HSE Consultant (Field Core / General Electric), Stadtwerke München GUD2 Power Plant
Last position:
HSE Consultant (Field Core / General Electric), Stadtwerke München GUD2 Power Plant at Health & Safety Consulting Engineering Office
- Advised as HSE Consultant on behalf of Field Core / General Electric during maintenance and repair of the gas turbine at the GUD2 power plant of Stadtwerke München.
- Organized, monitored, and managed project teams from an HSE perspective.
- Implemented and oversaw the HSE plan according to the German Construction Site Ordinance (BauStellV, SiGe plan).
- Conducted induction and toolbox training on safety topics.
- Prepared and handled risk assessments and method statements (RAMS).
- Implemented and controlled LOTO procedures.
- Managed hazardous substances, including MSDS documentation.
- Oversaw the permit-to-work process.
- Took measures to prevent accidents and injuries, documenting them in the GE-Gen Suite as part of "Mission Zero".
Ralf Hirsch
HSE Manager
Last position:
HSE Manager at Hitachi Energy
- New build of a converter station in Nortorf/Wilster for Tennet.
- Supervision and coordination of the companies involved in the project.
- Advice and support for the commissioning project management on all occupational and fire safety issues.
- Instruction of companies and their employees about the project specifics during commissioning.
- Requesting and collecting job descriptions and associated risk assessments.
- Supervision and issuing of work permits for respective tasks.
- Monitoring compliance with legal requirements for occupational and fire safety on construction sites.
- Maintaining incident statistics and analyzing incidents.
- Regular inspections and documentation.
- Conducting kick-off meetings with client and contractors.
- Monitoring and ensuring compliance with specific work details.
- Monitoring and ensuring proper protective measures during work.
Mustafa Al-Salihi
Freelance HSE Consultant
Last position:
Freelance HSE Consultant at Shell
- Ensure implementation of local safety regulations and Shell HSE
- Daily review of Shell work permits on site and LMR lists for contractors
- Carry out safety briefings and training on working at height and confined spaces
- Conduct investigations into near misses and accidents
- Ensure the implementation of the project HSE standards
- Perform regular safety inspections for the site to take preventive measures
- Investigate unsafe conditions and life-saving rules and define a new corrective action plan
- Publish and deliver toolbox presentations
- Coordinate security and fire watchdogs
- Reporting/documentation and creation of new prevention plans for improvement points
- Support from TÜV for regular audits to check ATEX areas and implement new protective measures
Sandro Ullering
HSE Expert
Last position:
HSE Manager at Ullertec GmbH
As Managing Director of Ullertec GmbH, my focus is on advising and supporting companies in the areas of occupational health and safety, workplace safety, and operational safety organization.
As a specialist for occupational safety, I support companies with safety-related services in accordance with DGUV Regulation 2, the creation and further development of risk assessments, operating instructions, and occupational safety organizations, as well as with site inspections, safety committee meetings, and the implementation of legal requirements.
Ullertec GmbH, based in Bochum, has established itself as a specialized service provider for occupational health and safety in the Ruhr area and in North Rhine-Westphalia. Our customers include companies and organizations from industry, production, logistics, skilled trades, services, and public or municipal sectors.
In addition to working as an external specialist for occupational safety, our services also include fire protection, safety and health coordination (SiGeKo), expert noise measurements, inspections of work equipment, and practical training and instruction.
A key success is the continuous building of long-term safety-related support relationships and a growing customer base. In doing so, we combine many years of industry experience with modern, structured health and safety consulting.
Our goal is not to represent health and safety only on paper. We analyze workplaces, machines, and operational processes directly on site and develop clear measures that can be implemented economically.
Ullertec stands for practical, structured, and reliable health and safety from Bochum - across the Ruhr area, in North Rhine-Westphalia, and for selected services nationwide.
Uwe Zander
Freelance QHSE Auditor
Last position:
Freelance QHSE Auditor at Intellcert
Said Waezsada
HSE Manager
Last position:
HSE Manager at Worley
- Consultation on HSE-related topics
- Preparation of relevant documents (EHS plans)
- Construction inspections
- Construction meetings
- Construction briefing
- Review of contractors' risk assessments
André Itter
PhD in Engineering / Safety Engineer / HSE Manager and Occupational Safety Specialist
Last position:
HSE Manager and Occupational Safety Specialist at Tesla
Hans-Joachim Schorn
EHS Consultant / Freelance
Last position:
EHS Consultant / Freelance at Bilfinger Engineering & Maintenance GmbH
- Project: Sun Chemical, BASF Ludwigshafen
Armin Parsi
QHSE Consultant
Last position:
QHSE Consultant at Qualitätsservice QM/IMS QHSE-Service
- Implementation, monitoring, updating, and auditing of quality management ISO 9001, environmental management ISO 14001, occupational health and safety management ISO 45001, energy management ISO 50001, and integrated management system (IMS)
- Implementation, monitoring, updating, and auditing of quality assurance systems according to ISO 3834, Pressure Equipment Directive (2014/68/EU), AD 2000 HP0, and EN 1090 up to certification
- External support as an occupational safety specialist (SIFA/SiGeKo) based on legal requirements and DGUV regulations; preparation of risk assessments and operating instructions, as well as training and instructing employees until full implementation of ISO 45001
- Welding supervision according to ISO 14731 and inspection supervision according to ISO 9712; procedure qualification testing according to ISO 15614, qualification monitoring and renewal according to ISO 9606, as well as creating welding instructions and documenting welding work
- QHSE project management and organization including supplier qualification, developing QHSE project requirements and plant documentation, conducting project audits, approval processes according to WHG/AwSV guidelines, Industrial Safety Ordinance (ZÜS) up to TÜV approval and CE marking
Discover over 15,000 top freelancers
HSE Consultants statistics
Aggregated from the professional profiles of matched freelancers.
Experience
25 years
Position duration
3.2 years
Positions per freelancer
14
Top business areas
Operations, Quality Assurance, Project Management
Top industries
Professional Services, Energy, Manufacturing
Certification focus areas
Quality Assurance, Operations, Sustainability Management
Bachelor's degree or higher
80%
Master's degree or higher
40%
Doctorate
40%
Certifications per freelancer
6
Most common languages
German, English, Arabic
Speak two or more languages
90%
Daily Rate Distribution
The chart shows how the daily rates of freelancers in this role are distributed, based on recent contracts on our platform. Each bar covers a rate range — its height shows how many freelancers charge within that range. Actual rates may vary depending on seniority level, experience, skill specialization, project complexity, and engagement length.
Average rates for HSE Consultants & Seniority distribution
Rates are based on recent contracts and do not include FRATCH margin.
The average daily rate is the mean of all daily rates from recent contracts of comparable freelancers on our platform.
The median daily rate is the middle value of all daily rates — half of comparable freelancers charge less, half charge more. Unlike the average, it is barely affected by outliers.
Actual rates may vary depending on seniority level, experience, skill specialization, project complexity, and engagement length.
Frequently Asked Questions
Want to know more? Check out our simple guide about FRATCH
An HSE Consultant helps businesses comply with environmental regulations, workplace safety laws, and health guidelines. In Germany, this involves navigating specific frameworks like the Arbeitsschutzgesetz and ensuring that machinery, processes, and sites meet strict statutory requirements. They conduct risk assessments, establish safety protocols, and prepare companies for external audits.
A Fachkraft für Arbeitssicherheit (SiFa) is a legally defined role under German law (ASiG) requiring specific state-approved training to advise employers on occupational safety. While many an occupational safety specialist also works as a broader consultant, a general consultant might focus on environmental management systems like ISO 14001 or corporate sustainability strategy without holding the official statutory SiFa delegation.
Hiring a freelance EHS Manager is highly effective for transitional phases, such as setting up a new production line, executing a plant shutdown (turnaround), or preparing for an upcoming ISO 45001 certification audit. Freelancers bring specialized, cross-industry knowledge and can start immediately without the long-term overhead of a permanent hire.
A freelance safety engineer acts as an objective advisor, working alongside internal operations managers, works councils (Betriebsrat), and company doctors. They conduct on-site inspections, facilitate safety committee meetings (ASA-Sitzungen), and deliver workshops to align floor staff with current corporate safety policies.
A professional environmental safety expert should hold recognized certifications such as lead auditor credentials for ISO 14001 or ISO 50001. For safety-focused roles in Germany, verification of SiFa qualification and specialist knowledge in hazardous materials (Gefahrstoffbeauftragter) or fire protection (Brandschutzbeauftragter) are crucial.
While policy writing, hazard analysis, and management system preparation can be done off-site, a competent HSE Consultant must conduct regular on-site inspections. Physical presence is essential to observe actual working conditions, audit physical plant infrastructure, and build trust with the local workforce in Germany.
The quality of a freelance HSE specialist is best demonstrated by their track record of successful regulatory audits and their practical approach to risk reduction. Look for professionals who do not just list legal paragraphs but translate complex safety regulations into workable, everyday procedures for the shop floor.
For projects in Germany, a freelance HSE compliance consultant usually needs fluent German to communicate effectively with local authorities, Berufsgenossenschaften, and blue-collar workers on-site. However, in multinational corporations or the tech sector, professional English is often sufficient for designing global safety frameworks.
The average hourly rate for HSE Consultants in Germany is 96 €, which corresponds to a daily rate of about 771 € based on an 8-hour working day.
Of the freelancers working as HSE Consultants in Germany, 80% hold at least a Bachelor's degree, 40% hold at least a Master's degree, and 40% hold a doctorate.
On average, freelancers working as HSE Consultants in Germany have 25 years of professional experience, with a single engagement typically lasting around 3.2 years.
The most common languages among freelancers working as HSE Consultants in Germany are German (100%), English (90%), and Arabic (20%).
The most common industries among freelancers working as HSE Consultants in Germany are Professional Services (90%), Energy (70%), and Manufacturing (70%).
The most common business areas among freelancers working as HSE Consultants in Germany are Operations (100%), Quality Assurance (100%), and Project Management (70%).
FRATCH HSE Consultants main locations
Our freelancers and interim experts are at home across the DACH region — available on-site in the major business hubs or fully remote. Choose a location to discover matched specialists, local market insights and up-to-date availability.
Berlin Hamburg Munich Cologne Frankfurt Stuttgart Dusseldorf Leipzig Dortmund Essen Bremen Dresden Hanover Nuremberg Request a Free Demo
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Philipp Thomaschewski
FRATCH CEO
