The risk in choosing the method of Risk Assessment

Risk assessment is one of the main pillars of the framework directive and other directives regarding health and safety at work, is the basis of an effective management of safety and health, and is essential to reduce work-related accidents and occupational diseases. Thus, this paper presents the risk assessment made to mold repair workplaces of B. A. Glass, with the aim of testing the risk assessment methodologies currently used in the Group (MP, ME and MAS). Was also applied the reference method in Spain (NTP 330) and a recently developed method in U. Porto (MIAR). In order to verify if applied under the same conditions reproduce similar results or if the subjectivity that characterizes this kind of methods will protrude through little consistent results between the five methodologies. A survey of the existing hazards in the workplaces was carried out, (gathering information about tasks/activities, employees, equipment, legislation and standards, on-site observation) and the quantification of respective risks through different risk assessment methodologies. A critical analysis regarding the applicability of all methodologies, by comparing the results obtained in all of them, suggests that MIAR is a fairly comprehensive and balanced methodology, showing more consistent results with the work reality.