Gefährdungsidentifikation

Gefährdungsidee, literally “hazard idea” in German, is not a standard term in safety science or risk management. Because it is not widely used with a formal definition, its meaning depends on the author or context in which it appears.

Etymology and interpretation: The word is formed from Gefährdung (hazard, danger) and Idee (idea), suggesting a concept or guiding principle that places hazards at the center of thinking about safety. As such, it can signal a mindset or approach rather than a specific method.

Possible uses: In discourse, Gefährdungsidee may describe a conceptual approach that treats the identification and understanding of hazards as the primary driver of design and decision-making. It can denote a brainstorming or ideation phase focused on hazards, or a broader mindset in which hazards shape objectives, controls, and governance.

Relation to established concepts: In practice, hazard identification and risk assessment are carried out using established methods such as Gefährdungsbeurteilung or ISO-based risk management. If someone employs the term Gefährdungsidee, it should be clearly defined and connected to concrete methods to avoid vagueness.

Usage and reception: Some may view the term as a rhetorical device rather than a technical method; others may use it to emphasize hazard-centric thinking during early project stages. Without a standard definition, Gefährdungsidee is best understood as a provisional label that requires explicit clarification within any given context.