The principles applying to risk prevention at work laid down in the Labour Protection Act ( ArbeitnehmerInnenschutzgesetz, ASchG) define fundamental measures that have to be taken by employers with regard to the safety and health of their employees in the following sequence:
Taking into account the human factor in all types of work, especially in designing work places and selecting work equipment, work procedures and manufacturing processes. The goal must be to facilitate work, especially if it is monotonous and follows the strict rhythm of machines, as well as to mitigate its negative impact on human health. In these efforts, due regard is to be given to the state of the art of available technologies. All suitable and practically feasible action must be taken in order to avoid risks to the greatest possible extent or to eliminate these altogether. If technological measures are available, person-related measures alone will not suffice.
- Eliminating hazards (i.e. by substituting a work substance)
- Reducing hazards to a minimum (i.e. by using milling machines that limit the thickness of chips to a defined maximum
- Separating workers from potential hazard zones (i.e. by integrated or mounted protective equipment)
- Protecting employees from hazards by means of personal protective equipment
- Enabling employees through theoretical and practical training and instructions to adequately deal with eventual residual risks.
Taking into account the human factor in all types of work, especially in designing work places and selecting work equipment, work procedures and manufacturing processes. The goal must be to facilitate work, especially if it is monotonous and follows the strict rhythm of machines, as well as to mitigate its negative impact on human health. In these efforts, due regard is to be given to the state of the art of available technologies. All suitable and practically feasible action must be taken in order to avoid risks to the greatest possible extent or to eliminate these altogether. If technological measures are available, person-related measures alone will not suffice.