A Safer Workplace Through Hazard Checks
“Think First, Then Act!”
Workplace safety should be a top priority for every company. Although the number of reportable occupational accidents in Germany resulting in more than three days of incapacity for work or death fell by approximately 13% in 2020 compared with the previous year (source: www.dguv.de), it remains essential for companies to raise awareness among their employees about workplace safety.
Possible Measures for Preventing Occupational Accidents
Ensuring a safe workplace requires the involvement of management, supervisors, employees, occupational safety specialists, safety officers and occupational physicians. Together, they must comprehensively assess the potential hazards in the workplace and define measures as part of formal risk assessments to reduce the risk of occupational accidents. One important measure in this context is the Last Minute Risk Analysis (LMRA).
Before starting a task, employees are required to carry out a final risk assessment. This assessment does not have to be documented in writing. A brief review of the applicable safety instructions that must be observed for each task is sufficient. This final check enables employees to identify potential accident risks, take additional preventive measures where necessary and become aware of any residual risks.
Last Minute Risk Analysis
The purpose of the LMRA is to increase employees’ awareness of risk assessment and risk reduction before starting work, thereby making the workplace safer. By identifying potential safety, health and environmental hazards in the workplace, accidents can be prevented.
For employees of the Roskopf Group and interested business partners, our occupational safety specialist, Dipl.-Ing. Frank Balter, developed a standardized LMRA, also known as the “Hazard Check – Think First! Then Act!”.
Necessary safety rules are often specified in risk assessments and operating instructions. Even when these requirements are technically sound, their effectiveness is reduced if employees lack acceptance of or understanding of the necessary measures. The “Hazard Check” helps strengthen employees’ sense of responsibility for their own safety. Rather than simply following rules, employees are encouraged to identify hazards independently and adopt safe working practices.
The pocket-sized checklist is structured around three basic steps:
- Identify the hazard
- Assess the hazard and
- Carry out the task safely
The aim is for employees to recognize and understand the hazards associated with their work activities and the potential risks involved. The identified hazards are then assessed and the task is carried out safely.
Would you like to implement the “Hazard Check – Think First Then Act!” in your company as well? Feel free to contact us.