Step 1: inherently safe design measures

Inherently safe design measures are the first and most important step in the risk reduction process. This kind of measures are achieved by eliminating the hazards or reducing the risk by a suitable choice of design features. Inherently safe design measures include:

• geometrical factors and physical aspects, such as visibility, safe area, injury, ergonomics, mass and velocity of moving parts, noise, vibration, hazardous substances, radiation…
• mechanical stresses, materials and their properties and emission values for noise, vibration, hazardous substances and radiation
• appropriate technology
• positive mechanical action principle
• stability
• electrical, pneumatic and hydraulic hazards
• safety functions implemented by programmable electronic control systems