How can I specify the task more precisely?

Proceed effectively and purposefully as early as the preparation phase:

1. Check whether the workplaces can be divided up in terms of their operational structure into stationary and non-stationary ones, and conclude from this the appropriate procedure for the assessment.
2. Check whether individual-related assessments must be conducted for workers who need special protection and lay down the protection measures which may be necessary, adapted to the special performance conditions. 
3. Check whether there are dynamic working sequences in your company which have to be analysed in terms of their hazards and whether a risk assessment related to working sequences should be used.

Consider not only normal operation, but also the upstream and downstream processes and activities. In addition to normal operation it must therefore also be checked what hazards may arise, for example, when setting up and trying out work equipment, during start-ups and shut-downs of work equipment, during transport work, during maintenance and repairs or during disturbances and outages.

1. Breakdown into stationary and non-stationary workplaces

Stationary workplaces

Stationary workplaces are assessed in relation to working area and activity. First the hazards are identified for the working area and then the additional activity-related hazards arising at the workplaces.

Working-area-related

The working-area-related assessment is possible when the same conditions apply to a number of workplaces which can be put together spatially, for example working environment influences such as noise, climate and lighting. It is characteristic that all workers working here are exposed to the same hazards. These hazards only need to be recorded once. When action is taken the hazard in a number of workplaces can be reduced simultaneously.

Activity-related

The activity-related risk assessment is appropriate for assessing conditions arising specifically from the character of the activity or workplace.

Example:
Type of establishment: Metal-working
Working area: Workshop
Activity/Workplace: Welding

Non-stationary workplaces

Certain occupational groups that normally work at non-stationary workplaces (construction and assembly sites), for example maintenance engineers, electricians, roofers, bricklayers or steel construction workers, often performing recurrent activities which are typical of the particular occupational group.

For this type of workplace an appropriate risk assessment is one that relates to the occupational group.

When recording, proceed by first establishing the occupational group and then allocating to it the specific activities.

Example:
Type of operations: Sanitation and heating
Occupational group: Installation engineers
Activity: Installation, manual transport, servicing etc.

2. Individual-related risk assessment for workers in need of special protection

An individual-related risk assessment must be undertaken for activities carried out by persons in need of special protection, for example disabled workers, pregnant women or nursing mothers, trainees or people new to the occupation. For young people and pregnant women an individual-related risk assessment must be carried out. This is required by law.

Example:
Type of operation: Metal-working
Person: Trainee
Activity: Working with hand-guided machines

3. Working-sequence-oriented risk assessment

With the help of the work- sequence-oriented risk assessment you can analyse the individual working activities, processing sequences or transport sequences.

As a first step the task to be performed must be described precisely. Then the activities to be carried out must be determined and, where necessary, broken down into sub-activities. Since this procedure is normally part of the planning, the activities and sub-activities laid down there must be taken over.

Example:

Task: Scaffolding erection

• Activity 1: Preparation
  • Sub-activity 1: Site inspection at erection site
• Activity 2: Transport
  • Sub-activity 1: Loading of scaffolding material at the builder's yard
  • Sub-activity 2: Transport to construction site
  • Sub-activity 3: Unloading of scaffolding material
• Activity 3: Erection
  • Sub-activity 1: Erection of first layer of scaffolding according to rules (following instructions for erection and use)
  • Sub-activity 2: Erection of other scaffolding layers according to rules (from 8m use construction hoists)
  • Sub-activity 3: Assembly anchors and diagonals continuously as scaffolding erection progresses