Introduction to risk assessment in the workplace: work risk assessment is the foundation of occupational safety

On average, you spend a third of your day at work. It goes without saying that working in the safest possible working conditions is a prerequisite for a smooth everyday life without unpleasant surprises. This is why regular risk assessment at work is a must! As this is a broad and complex issue, we have prepared a guide to work risk assessment for you. In this article, we will guide you through the basics of a quality job risk assessment - download the guide at the end to help you in your work!

Of course, an occupational risk assessment is worthwhile because it is a statutory measure provided for in in the Occupational Safety and Health Act. The Occupational Safety and Health Act states: The employer shall, taking into account the nature of the work and activities, in a sufficiently systematic manner, investigate and identify the harmful and dangerous factors arising from the work, working hours, workplace, other working environment and working conditions and, if they cannot be eliminated, assess their significance for the safety and health of workers. In other words, every workplace must identify, assess and minimise the potential hazards and risks at work. Although risk assessment is required by law, it is not just a matter of the obligatory evil: the aim is first and foremost to prevent harm. It is therefore worth bearing in mind that the more carefully the risk assessment is carried out, the more likely it is to prevent sickness absence and promote fitness for work.. This will have a positive impact on the performance and resources of both the company and society. Risk assessment should therefore be seen as a positive and beneficial thing for the company!

When it comes to risk assessment, some terms are easily confused. To better understand the world of occupational safety, it is useful to get to grips with the right terms.

Danger and risk are easily interpreted as synonymous terms. However, in the context of risk assessment, hazard refers to a factor or circumstance that can cause an adverse event to occur. Risk, on the other hand, refers to the probability and severity of a given event. For example, a hazard may be a slippery staircase and a risk is the likelihood of slipping on the staircase and the possible consequences.

Often also the work risk assessment is confused with with the workplace survey. However, these are separate documents, although both are legally required documents related to occupational safety and support each other. A work risk assessment is the more comprehensive of the two. The occupational risk assessment is the basis for the workplace report.

Risk assessment is an ongoing process, and the document is constantly updated as circumstances change in the course of day-to-day work. If you are starting your first job risk assessment, it may be a good idea to involve an experienced professional. He or she will help you:

• plan your risk assessment carefully
• choose the right tools for your process
• identify hazards and adverse situations 
• assess the magnitude and significance of risks
• document situations systematically
• choose measures to eliminate hazards or nuisances
• take immediate action to eliminate the risk
• monitor and evaluate measures
• develop your process for assessing risks at work.

Our new guide to job risk assessment will help you through this important process step by step. Download the guide here and succeed in your risk assessment Protect!