Assessing risks safely with expert support
Key points at a glance
- Responsibility for the risk assessment always lies with the employer.
- These tasks may only be carried out by qualified personnel, such as a company doctor or an occupational health and safety specialist.
- A cycle of three to five years has proved effective, although this should be brought forward in the event of changes or accidents.
What managing directors and line managers in the field of industrial surface treatment need to bear in mind with regard to health and safety at work and risk assessment.
Key questions on risk assessment
Who is responsible for health and safety at work?
The assessment of working conditions is enshrined in the Occupational Health and Safety Act and in many other regulations (e.g. the Hazardous Substances Regulation (GefStoffV), the Workplace Regulation (ArbStättV), the Workplace Safety Regulation (BetrSichV), etc.). Responsibility for assessing risks generally lies with the employer.
Given the complexity of the subject matter, support from specialist staff or external experts is utilised when drawing up the plan in day-to-day operations. However, the responsibility for drawing up the plan remains with the employer.
What is the purpose of health and safety at work?
Health and safety at work covers the workplace and its environmental conditions. The aim is to identify hazards at an early stage, assess the risk and implement appropriate protective measures.
To whom can duties be delegated?
The employer may delegate their duties to line managers (as shown in the organisation chart) in accordance with the correct procedure for the transfer of duties (Section 120 of the Administrative Offences Act). If the employer does not possess the necessary knowledge themselves, they must seek expert advice.
According to Section 6(11) of the GefStoffV, the risk assessment may only be carried out by competent persons. For example: a company doctor or an occupational safety specialist.
Where can I get support?
Companies receive support with:
- The relevant accident insurance provider (BG)
- The state occupational health and safety authority (e.g. the Trade Inspectorate, the District Government)
- Guidance documents such as the DGUV’s sector-specific rules, which provide practical guidelines
How often must a risk assessment be carried out?
There is no set deadline. In practice, a cycle of three to five years has proved effective.
However, a revision is required earlier than planned in the following cases:
- Changes to regulations
- Introduction of new products, processes or machinery
- Accidents at work or near-misses
When was your risk assessment last updated?
We check whether new processes, substances or regulations require an update.
Key aspects of risk assessment
It is advisable to have a central document in which potential hazards are recorded according to the workplace:
- For office workstations, the documentation is usually more concise.
- In production facilities, detailed record-keeping is essential.
The aim is to identify hazards, assess their severity and risk, and estimate the likelihood of their occurrence.
Special considerations regarding explosion protection
The risk assessment for areas at risk of explosion (Section 6 of the Hazardous Substances Ordinance) must be carried out separately. The explosion protection document should be drawn up separately from the general assessment. Specialist knowledge is essential here. Furthermore, the mandatory inspections must be taken into account.
Operational procedure
- Record jobs
- Group together identical or similar jobs
- Carry out a risk assessment in accordance with Section 5 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (ArbSchG)
- When using work equipment: establish a supplementary assessment with inspection intervals and scope (self-inspection, competent person, authorised inspection body)
- Assess any additional risks
Conclusion
Health and safety at work affects every business – the responsibility lies with the employer. Many hazards can be identified through experience and common sense. However, in complex areas such as the handling of hazardous substances, machine safety or explosion protection, specialist expertise is essential.
A structured approach, supported by qualified specialists and in cooperation with the authorities and the employers’ liability insurance association (BG), ensures legal certainty and the protection of the workforce.
Contents
Frank Schüle
Graduate Engineer (FH) Head of the Environment, Health and Safety / Fire Safety Department