Risikobereich

Risikobereich, often translated as “risk area,” is a designation used in risk management and safety contexts to describe a defined area, domain, or range in which the probability and/or consequences of potential events exceed predefined thresholds. It serves to focus monitoring, control measures, and access restrictions on zones with elevated risk.

In practice, Risikobereiche appear in occupational safety, process safety and related sectors. They are used to identify zones around hazardous equipment, chemical processes, or high-energy systems where additional protective measures, engineering controls, or trained personnel are required. In construction, manufacturing and chemical industries, the concept supports the implementation of permits-to-work, evacuation planning, and safety distances. In some contexts, the term is also used metaphorically to denote areas of higher residual risk in information technology or finance, though more specific terminology is common there.

The boundary of a Risikobereich is typically defined through a formal risk assessment that considers the likelihood and consequence of potential events. When a risk exceeds an organization’s acceptance criteria, the corresponding area may be designated as a Risikobereich, triggering controls such as engineering barriers, monitoring systems, personal protective equipment, or restricted access.

Terminology varies by sector and jurisdiction. Some organizations prefer terms like Gefährdungszone or Risikozone. The concept remains a practical tool for prioritizing risk reduction and resource allocation within a broader risk management framework. See also risk assessment, hazard analysis, safety zoning.