Are there criteria for the selection of measures?

The best measure is always that which avoids or completely eliminates the hazard. Where this is not possible, the hazard must be kept as small as possible.

Orient yourself when selecting measures on the so-called T-O-P rule:

• "T" as in technical measures
• "O" as in organisation measures
• "P" as in personal/individual safety measures

Normally technical solutions are the most effective for occupational safety and health. They have priority over organisational arrangement and over individual-related and behaviour-related safety measures.

You should take measures in the following order of priority:

1. The design of working procedures in such a way that no hazard is present, the elimination of danger sources
2. The elimination or reduction of hazards by the use of protective equipment, preferably with compulsory effect
3. The minimisation of the health risk by lowering the intensity or duration of exposure by taking technical or work-organisational measures
4. The use of personal protective equipment or rules of conduct.

Note:

The legislator formulates general principles in section 4 Occupational Safety and Health Act which you should adhere to when selecting the measures:

1. The work should be designed in such a way that any hazard to life and health is avoided as far as possible and the remaining hazard is kept as small as possible.
2. Dangers are to be combated at source.
3. For the measures to be taken the state of the art, occupational medicine and hygiene must be taken into account, as must any other sound knowledge in work science.
4. Measures must be planned with the aim of linking in a proper fashion technology, work organisation, other working conditions, social relations and the influence of the environment on the workplace.
5. Individual protective measures take lower priority against other measures.
6. Special dangers for groups of workers requiring special protection must be taken into account.
7. Suitable instructions must be issued to workers.
8. Regulations which act with a direct or indicate gender-specific effect are only permissible if this is absolutely necessary for biological reasons.