1. Risk assessment approach in the EU EUCOSH workshop 25.3.2014, Beijing Heikki Laitinen Professor, Ph.D.(Engineering) 1 Heikki Laitinen 2014

2. 1.The employer shall take the measures necessary for the safety and health protection of workers 2. General principles of prevention: a)avoiding risks b)evaluating the risks which cannot be avoided c)combating the risks at source … EU COUNCIL DIRECTIVE (89/391/EEC) Article 6: General obligations on employers 2 Heikki Laitinen 2014

3. Different approaches of Risk Assessment (RA) in EU countries 1) Participatory approach –Line managers and workers carry out the RA –Safety experts as trainers and advisors –Large variation of practical RA methods for non-expert use –For instance in Scandinavia 2) Certified expert approach –Certified experts carry out the RA –Line managers and workers do not participate –Formal RA methods, accepted by authorities –For instance in many Southern and Eastern European countries 3

4. Implementation rate of RA in EU countries, % of companies (Source: ESENER Survey 2009) 4 Heikki Laitinen 2014

5. Fatal occupational accident rate in EU countries Accidents/100000 worker, Industry standardized average, years 2008-2011 (Source : Eurostat) 5 Heikki Laitinen 2014

6. RA implementation rate and Fatal accident rate in EU countries ( Sources: Eurostat, ESENER Survey) N=29, r= 0,199 (not significant) 6 Heikki Laitinen 2014

7. Management involvement in OHS and Fatal occupational accident rate in EU countries (Sources: Eurostat, ESENER Survey) N=29, r=-0,503 (significant) 7 Heikki Laitinen 2014

8. Impact of Risk Assessment on accident risk No correlation between RA implementation rate and fatal accident rate on country-level Significant correlation between management involvement and accident rate “High quality” RA by experts may have no effect, when the managers and workers are not involved The key for good safety may be a culture, where managers and workers actively take part in RA and other OHS activities 8 Heikki Laitinen 2014

9. Technical factors work environment machines and tools materials Human factors working practices use of PPEs risk taking Management Severe health problems Slight health problems Near-misses Moni- toring OHS MS Audit Positive outcomes Incident reporting & investigation Risk Assess- ment Basic OHS Management tools Training & consul- tation Simplified OHS Management results chain Heikki Laitinen 2014

10. Macro-Level Risk Assessment (MLRA) of new and unknown hazards Scientific studies are conducted to identify and estimate possible new and unknown hazards OHS laws and standards are based on this MLRA –Machine safety standards –Occupational Exposure Limit values for chemical end physical exposures –Sector specific regulations MLRA is the basis for the Workplace Risk Assessment (WPRA) New and unknown hazards Scientific studies, laboratory tests etc. OHS laws and standards Heikki Laitinen 2014

11. Workplace risk assessment Obvious hazard Hidden hazard Identify hazard Evaluate risk Remove hazard Apply proper controls Known by the person Can be identified by senses Exists at the time and place of evaluation Not known by the person Cannot be identified by senses Exists only rarely or during unusual work tasks?? www.3tonline.fi/english Heikki Laitinen New and unknown hazards Scientific studies, laboratory tests etc. OHS laws and standards

12. 12 Obvious or hidden risk? Who is taking risk? Identification by RA and/or by OSH performance monitoring? Thank you for your kind attention! This is our challenge during the next few weeks in Shouyun and Fengshan

13. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION! 谢谢您的关注 !