vigastusriski

Vigastusriski, or injury risk, refers to the probability that a person will suffer physical harm as a result of exposure to a hazard, and the potential severity of that harm. It is a central concept in occupational safety and health risk assessment. The risk is generally considered as a function of two components: likelihood (the probability that an injury will occur) and consequence (the severity of injury if it occurs).

Assessment typically involves identifying hazards, evaluating exposure and vulnerability, and estimating the risk level using qualitative scales (low/medium/high) or semi-quantitative tools such as risk matrices. Some assessments may use numerical data from past incidents to calibrate the estimates. The aim is to determine where safeguards are most needed and to prioritize actions.

Factors affecting vigastusriski include task characteristics (complexity, frequency, force), equipment and process conditions (maintenance status, guards), environmental conditions (noise, temperature, lighting), and human factors (training, fatigue, attention). Organizational factors like supervision, safety culture, and procedures also influence risk.

Prevention follows the hierarchy of controls: eliminate hazards where possible, substitute with safer alternatives, use engineering controls (guards, interlocks), implement administrative controls (work procedures, rotation, training), and provide appropriate personal protective equipment. Regular maintenance, safety inspections, incident reporting, and near-miss analysis support ongoing risk reduction.

In many countries vigastusriski assessment is required as part of occupational safety and health legislation and standards. The term is commonly used in Finnish-language safety literature and practice to describe the risk of injury in workplaces and activities.