Definitions

Danger

A danger can be anything which give rise to potential damage or health impairments
– agents, work equipment, working methods or working practices.

Hazard

A hazard describes the possibility of damage or of a health impairment without certain requirements regarding its extent or occurrence probability.¹⁾

¹⁾ Source: Section B of German government publication 13/3540: Begründung zum § 4 des ArbSchG).

Risk assessment

"The risk assessment is the procedure for evaluating the risk to the health and safety of workers resulting from dangers at the workplace. It is a systematic examination of all aspects of work in order to establish:

• what may cause injuries or damage,
• how the dangers can be eliminated and, if this is not possible,
• what preventive or protective measures are or should be available to limit the risks." ²⁾

²⁾ Source: European Commission Guidance on risk assessment at work

Risk factors

Risk factors are groups of hazards which are characterised by identical danger sources or effect qualities. The following list contains risk factors which can arise at work:

1. mechanical hazards
2. electrical hazards
3. hazardous substances
4. biological agents
5. fire and explosion hazards
6. thermal hazards
7. hazards due to special physical actions
8. hazards due to working environment conditions
9. physical loads/heaviness of work
10. mental factors
11. other hazards

Under our heading Expert knowledge you will find information on the effects and assessment of these risk factors and of suitable occupational safety and health measures, as well as references to regulations and further literature.

Risk

Risk is used to mean the probability and gravity of a possible damage due to a hazard.

Special groups of individuals

Special groups of individuals include, for example, young people, expectant or nursing mothers, workers who do not have adequate knowledge of German, disabled people, temporary agency workers, trainees and occupational beginners