Ohutusnõuded

Ohutusnõuded, or safety requirements, refer to the set of conditions, measures, and criteria that must be met to prevent harm to people, property, and the environment during the design, production, use, and disposal of products, systems, and activities. They cover hazards identification, risk reduction, and safe operation. They are established by national legislation and EU directives, and are implemented through standards and conformity assessment. Institutions include regulators, standardization bodies, and certification bodies.

In practice, ohutusnõuded guide risk assessment, design choices (guards, interlocks, insulation, protective equipment), labeling, instructions, maintenance, and training. They apply to workplaces (occupational safety), consumer products (safety of products and information provided to consumers), construction sites, electrical installations, machinery, vehicles, and transport services.

A typical process includes hazard identification, risk assessment, determining required protective measures, implementing technical and administrative safeguards, testing and certification, and ensuring ongoing compliance through monitoring and training. Documentation such as risk assessments, conformity declarations, and user manuals supports compliance.

Enforcement rests with authorities who can inspect facilities, demand corrective actions, impose penalties, or order product recalls. Internationally, ohutusnõuded align with standards such as ISO 45001 for occupational health and safety management, ISO 12100 for risk assessment and risk reduction, and CE marking for market access in the EU.