What is a risk assessment?
Who advises and supports?
Risk assessments require specialist knowledge of operational sequences, of the risk factors and of the protection measures. Internal and/or external experts may support you.
Internal
In your establishment you have the opportunity to engage skilled personnel in the risk assessment. For the planning and implementation of the risk assessment it is advisable to form a project team, consisting of
- the specialist for occupational safety and health,
- the company doctor,
- the relevant competent superior,
- the works council,
- the safety officer and the officer for quality/environmental management.
This group can co-ordinate the planning, the drafting of the concept, the selection of method, the implementation and putting the measures into practice.
External
You can engage specialists from occupational healthcare services. These will advise you – or, as the case may be, your company's management personnel – by, for example
- putting forward proposals for a methodical approach,
- giving information on the criteria for the risk assessment,
- determining the causes of accidents and work-related health risks by means of on-site visits, checks and examinations,
- putting forward suggestions for protection measures.
In this advisory work the medical aspects of occupational safety and health are of prime importance for the company doctor and as are the technical aspects for the occupational safety and health specialist. This means that the employer can only be assured of receiving comprehensive advice with the interaction of both. The requirements to which such individuals are subject are described in sections 4 and 7 of the Occupational Safety Act.
When using external specialists you should ensure that skilled company personnel and the workers affected are involved. Those affected are the best ones to assess what hazards arise at their workplace.
For questions on the implementation of the risk assessment the following are also available to you for advice:
