COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING DECISION (EU) 2019/417
of 8 November 2018
laying down guidelines for the management of the European Union Rapid Information System ‘RAPEX’ established under Article 12 of Directive 2001/95/EC on general product safety and its notification system
(notified under document C(2018) 7334)
Article 1
Article 2
Article 3
ANNEX
GUIDELINES FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF THE EUROPEAN UNION RAPID INFORMATION SYSTEM ‘RAPEX’ ESTABLISHED UNDER ARTICLE 12 OF DIRECTIVE 2001/95/EC (THE GENERAL PRODUCT SAFETY DIRECTIVE) AND ITS NOTIFICATION SYSTEM
PART I
SCOPE AND ADDRESSEES OF THE GUIDELINES
1.
Scope, objectives and update
1.1.
Scope
1.2.
Objectives
1.3.
Update
2.
Addressees of the Guidelines
3.
Products
3.1.
Products covered by these Guidelines
3.1.1.
Products covered by the GPSD
3.1.2.
Products covered by Regulation (EC) No 765/2008
3.2.
Products not covered by these Guidelines
4.
Measures
4.1.
Types of measures
4.2.
Categories of measures
4.3.
Requirements of the measures
4.4.
Exclusion of generally applicable compulsory measures
5.
Risk Levels
5.1.
Serious risk
5.2.
Less than serious risk
5.3.
Risk assessment method
5.4.
Assessing authority
6.
Cross-border effects
6.1.
International event
6.2.
Local event
PART II
EU RAPID INFORMATION SYSTEM ‘RAPEX’ ESTABLISHED UNDER ARTICLE 12 OF THE GENERAL PRODUCT SAFETY DIRECTIVE
1.
Introduction
1.1.
Objectives of RAPEX
1.2.
Components of RAPEX
2.
Notification criteria
2.1.
Mandatory participation in RAPEX: Article 12 of the GPSD and Article 22 of Regulation (EC) No 765/2008
2.2.
Non-mandatory participation in RAPEX: Article 11 of the GPSD and Article 23 of Regulation (EC) No 765/2008
3.
Notifications
3.1.
Types of notification
3.1.1.
Notifications
3.1.2.
Notifications for information
3.2.
Content of notifications
3.2.1.
Scope of data
3.2.2.
Completeness of data
3.2.3.
Updating of data
3.2.4.
Responsibility for the information transmitted
3.3.
Actors and roles involved in the notification process
3.3.1.
Economic operators
3.3.2.
Member States authorities
3.3.3.
Authorities in charge of external border controls
3.3.4.
European Commission
3.4.
Workflow
3.4.1.
Creation of a notification
3.4.1.1.
By a national authority
3.4.1.2.
By the Commission
3.4.2.
Submission of notifications to the Commission
3.4.3.
Examination of notifications by the Commission
3.4.3.1.
Correctness
3.4.3.2.
Completeness
3.4.3.3.
Validation of notifications without a detailed risk assessment
(a) Notifications of products posing chemical risks
(b) Notifications of cosmetic products
(c) Notification of other products
3.4.3.4.
Requests for additional information
3.4.3.5.
Investigation
3.4.4.
Validation and distribution of notifications
3.4.5.
Publication of notifications
3.4.5.1.
Disclosure of information as a general rule
3.4.5.2.
Exceptions to the general rule
3.4.5.3.
Requests for confidentiality
3.4.5.4.
Handling of notifications covered by confidentiality
3.4.5.5.
Withdrawal of request for confidentiality
3.4.6.
Follow-up to notifications
3.4.6.1.
Follow-up to the different types of notification
3.4.6.2.
Objectives of the follow-up activities
3.4.6.3.
Follow-up techniques
(a) Checks on the market
(b) Cooperation with business associations
(c) Publication of RAPEX data via the internet or other electronic and paper media
(d) Online checks
3.4.7.
Withdrawal/removal of notifications
3.4.7.1.
Permanent withdrawal of a notification from RAPEX
3.4.7.1.1. Situations where withdrawal of a submitted or validated notification is possible
3.4.7.1.2. Request for permanent or temporary withdrawal by Member States
3.4.7.1.3. Content of the request for permanent or temporary withdrawal
3.4.7.1.4. Decision to withdraw
3.4.7.2.
Temporary removal of a notification from the RAPEX website
3.4.7.2.1. Situations where temporary removal is possible
3.4.7.2.2. Request for temporary removal by Member States
3.4.7.2.3. Content of the request for temporary removal
3.4.7.2.4. Decision to remove
3.4.7.2.5. Re-publishing of a notification temporarily removed
3.4.8.
Notifications older than ten years
3.5.
Timing and deadlines for notifications
3.5.1.
Timing of the notification
(a) Compulsory measures
(b) Voluntary measures
3.5.2.
Deadlines
(33)
3.5.3.
Emergency situations
4.
Follow-up activities
4.1.
Communication of follow-up activities
4.2.
Content of follow-up notifications
4.2.1.
Scope of data
(a) A notified product has been found on the market
(b) Different risk assessment
(c) Additional information
4.2.2.
Completeness of follow-up notifications
4.2.3.
Updating of validated follow-up notifications
4.2.4.
Responsibility for follow-up notifications
4.2.5.
Response to follow-up notifications
4.3.
Actors and roles involved in follow-up activities
4.3.1.
Economic operators
(35)
4.3.2.
Market surveillance authorities
4.3.3.
European Commission
4.4.
Workflow
4.4.1.
Creation and submission of a follow-up notification by a Member State
4.4.2.
Examination of follow-up notifications by the Commission
4.4.2.1.
Correctness and completeness
4.4.2.2.
Requests for additional information
4.4.3.
Validation and distribution of follow-up notifications
4.4.4.
Permanent withdrawal of a follow-up notification from RAPEX
4.5.
Deadlines for submitting follow-up notifications
4.6.
Requests for confidentiality
5.
RAPEX networks
5.1.
RAPEX National Contact Points
5.1.1.
Organisation
5.1.2.
Tasks
5.2.
RAPEX networks established at EU and national levels
5.2.1.
The RAPEX Contact Point Network
5.2.2.
RAPEX networks established at national level
5.3.
RAPEX internal communication tools, practical and technical arrangements for RAPEX and best practice
5.3.1.
Languages
5.3.2.
RAPEX online tools
(a) RAPEX system
(b) ‘Product Safety Business Alert Gateway’
(c) Collaborative space
(d) ‘RAG tool’ (38)
5.3.3.
Contact details
5.3.4.
Operation of RAPEX outside regular working hours
PART III
APPENDICES
1.
Fields and information included in notifications
(39)
Notification Form |
|
Section 1: General information |
|
Case number |
|
Creation date |
|
Validation/distribution date |
|
Notification type * |
|
Notifying country |
|
Full Contact details of the Notifying Authority * |
|
Section 2: Product |
|
Professional / Consumer Product |
|
Product category * |
|
OECD Portal category (if known) |
|
Product (what the product is) * |
|
Name * |
|
Brand * |
|
Type/number of model: * |
|
Batch number/Bar code * |
|
Customs code * |
|
Product and packaging description * |
|
Total number of items covered by the notification (if known) * |
|
Photos: |
|
Section 3: Regulations and standards applicable |
|
Legal provisions (directive, decision, regulation, etc.) * |
|
Standards * |
|
Proof of conformity * |
|
Is the product counterfeit? * |
|
Certificates |
|
Section 4: Traceability |
|
Country of origin (where the product manufactured) * |
|
Countries of destination * |
|
Full Contact details of the manufacturer or its representative(s) * |
|
Full Contact details of the exporter(s) * |
|
Full Contact details of the importer(s) * |
|
Full Contact details of the distributor(s) * |
|
Full Contact details of the retailer(s) * |
|
Is the product (also) sold online? |
|
Please give details: URL |
|
Section 5: Risk assessment |
|
Risk category * |
|
Risk level |
|
Summary of test results * |
|
Description of the technical issue that leads to the highest risk level |
|
Risk description (how the technical defect leads to the risk) * |
|
EU Legal provisions and /or Standards against which the product was tested and did not comply with * |
|
Information on known incidents and accidents * |
|
Section 6: Measures |
|
Type of measures adopted * |
|
If Voluntary: |
Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s) * |
Name of economic operator taking notified measure(s) * |
|
If Compulsory: |
Name of authority ordering the notified measure(s) * |
Type of economic operator to whom the measure(s) were ordered * |
|
Category of measures * |
|
Date of entry into force * |
|
Duration * |
|
Scope * |
|
Has the notification been sent by a producer or a distributor under Article 5(3) of the GPSD? * |
|
URL link to company recall page (if available) |
|
Section 7: Confidentiality |
|
Is the notification confidential? * |
|
Scope of confidentiality |
|
Justification |
|
Section 8: Other |
|
Additional information |
|
Justification for sending ‘Notification for information’ |
|
Annexes |
|
Photos (products, packaging and label) |
|
Certificates |
|
Test report and risk assessment |
|
Notification sent by an economic operator through ‘Business Gateway’ |
|
Adopted measures |
|
* Indicates a mandatory field. |
2.
Fields and information included in follow-up notifications
(40)
Section 1: General information |
|
Case number |
|
Validated notification type |
|
Notifying country |
|
Creation date |
|
Validation/distribution date |
|
Submission number |
|
Follow up notification number |
|
Reacting country |
|
Full contact details of the notifying authority |
|
Validated notification product category |
|
Notified product |
|
Notified name |
|
Product (what the product is) |
|
Name (on the product or the packaging) |
|
Brand (on the product or the packaging) |
|
Type/number of model |
|
Batch number/Bar code (or other information to identify which products are affected) |
|
Photos (products, packaging and label) |
|
Section 2: Type of follow-up notification |
|
Product found * |
|
Total number of items found (if known) * |
|
Measures adopted / Measures not adopted |
|
Type of measures adopted * |
|
If Voluntary: |
Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s) * |
Name of economic operator taking notified measure(s) * |
|
If Compulsory: |
Name of authority ordering the notified measure(s) * |
Type of economic operator to whom the measure(s) were ordered * |
|
Category of measures * |
|
Date of entry into force * |
|
Duration * |
|
Scope * |
|
Adopted measures |
|
URL link to company recall page (if available): |
|
Different risk assessment * |
|
Risk category * |
|
Summary of the test results (description of technical defects) * |
|
Indication of legal provisions and standards (with clauses) against which the product was tested * |
|
Different risk assessment * |
|
Information on known incidents and accidents * |
|
Attachments (certificates, test report and risk assessment …) |
|
Additional information * |
|
Complementary information on distribution channels and/or product's origin |
|
Complementary information on the risk assessment |
|
Other complementary information |
|
Section 3: Confidentiality |
|
Is the follow-up confidential? * |
|
Scope of confidentiality |
|
Justification |
|
Annexes |
|
Photos (product, packaging and label) |
|
Test reports and risk assessments |
|
Certificates |
|
Adopted measures |
|
* Indicates a mandatory field |
3.
Notification scheme
4.
Deadlines for member states
Notification procedure |
Action |
Deadline |
||||||
|
Notifications |
Send ‘Article 12 notification requiring emergency action’ |
Within 3 days after:
|
|||||
Send ‘Article 12 notification’ or Article 22 Regulation (EC) No 765/2008 notification |
Within 10 days after:
|
|||||||
Confirm measures if the notification was sent before deciding to adopt measures |
Within 45 days after submission of the notification |
|||||||
Update to a notification |
Within 5 days after receipt of the information on developments requiring changes to a notification |
|||||||
Follow-up notifications |
Ensure follow-up activities to: |
‘Article 12 notification requiring emergency action’ |
Within 20 days after receipt of a notification |
|||||
‘Article 12 notification’ and to ‘Notification sent by the European Commission’ as well as Article 22 of Regulation (EC) No 765/2008 notification |
Within 45 days after receipt of a notification |
|||||||
Send follow-up notification to: |
‘Article 12 notification requiring emergency action’ |
Within 3 days after:
|
||||||
‘Article 12 notification’ and to ‘Notification sent by the European Commission’ as well as Article 22 of Regulation (EC) No 765/2008 notification |
Within 5 days after:
|
|||||||
Update to a follow-up notification |
Within 5 days after receipt of information or developments requiring changes to a follow-up notification |
|||||||
Notification procedure established under Article 11 of the GPSD |
Notifications |
Send ‘Article 11 notification’ |
Within 10 days after adoption of ‘Compulsory measures’ |
|||||
Update to the notification |
Within 5 days after receipt of information on developments requiring changes to the notification |
5.
Deadlines for the Commission
Notification procedure |
Action |
Deadline |
|
EU Rapid Information System ‘RAPEX’ established under Article 12 of the GPSD |
Notifications |
Validate ‘Article 12 notification requiring emergency action’ |
Within 3 days after receipt of a notification |
Validate ‘Article 12 notification’ as well as Article 22 of Regulation (EC) No 765/2008 notification |
Within 5 days after receipt of a notification |
||
Validate ‘Notification for information’ |
Within 10 days after receipt of a notification |
||
Follow-up notifications |
Validate follow-up notification sent to ‘Article 12 notification requiring emergency action’ |
Within 3 days after receipt of a follow-up notification |
|
Validate follow-up notification sent to ‘Article 12 notification’ and to ‘Notification sent by the European Commission’ as well as Article 22 of Regulation (EC) No 765/2008 notification |
Within 5 days after receipt of a follow-up notification |
||
Validate follow-up notification sent to ‘Notification for information’ |
Within 10 days after receipt of a follow-up notification |
||
Notification procedure established under Article 11 of the GPSD |
Notifications |
Validate ‘Article 11 notification’ |
Within 10 days after receipt of a notification |
Follow-up notifications |
Validate follow-up notifications sent to ‘Article 11 notification’ |
Within 10 days after receipt of a follow-up notification |
RISK ASSESSMENT GUIDELINES FOR CONSUMER PRODUCTS
(41)
1.
Introduction
2.
Risk assessment — an overview
2.1.
Risk — Combination of hazard and probability
2.2.
A risk assessment in three steps
2.3.
Some useful tips
Seek information
Make a sensitivity analysis of your risk assessment
Let others check your risk assessment
Document your risk assessment
Several hazards, several injuries — but only one risk
Can risks cumulate?
Compliance with limit values in legislation and standards
Specific risk assessment guidelines in specific cases
3.
Building a risk assessment step by step
3.1.
The product
3.2.
The product hazard
Hazard identification by tests and standards
Products may still present a risk even though they do not cause injuries
3.3.
The consumer
3.4.
Injury scenario: Steps leading to injury(ies)
3.5.
Severity of injury
3.6.
Probability of injury
Step 1: |
The hammer head breaks when the user tries to knock a nail into a wall because the material of the hammer head is too weak. The weakness was determined in a test, and with the reported weakness the probability of the hammer head breaking during the otherwise expected lifetime of the hammer is put at 1/10. |
Step 2: |
One of the pieces of the hammer hits the user when it breaks. The probability of this happening is put at 1/10, since the area of upper body exposed to the pieces flying off is considered to be 1/10 of the half-sphere in front of the wall. Of course, if the user were standing very close to the wall, his body would take a larger share of the half-sphere, and the probability would be higher. |
Step 3: |
The piece hits the user on the head. The head is estimated to be about 1/3 of the upper body, and the probability is therefore 1/3. |
Step 4: |
The piece hits the user in the eye. The eyes are considered to be about 1/20 of the area of the head, and therefore the probability is 1/20. |
3.7.
Determination of risk
4.
From risk to action: how to manage risk responsibly
5.
How to prepare a risk assessment — in brief
1. Describe the product and its hazard.
2. Identify the type of consumer you want to include in your injury scenario with the hazardous product.
3. Describe an injury scenario in which the product hazard(s) you have selected causes an injury(ies) or adverse health effect(s) to the consumer you selected.
4. Determine the severity of the injury.
5. Determine the probability of the injury scenario.
6. Determine the risk level.
7. Check whether the risk level is plausible.
8. Develop several injury scenarios to identify the highest risk of the product.
9. Document and pass on your risk assessment.
6.
Examples
6.1.
Folding chair
Injury scenario |
Injury type and location |
Severity of injury |
Probability of injury |
Overall probability |
Risk |
|
Person unfolds the chair, grips seat close to the back corner by mistake (Person inattentive/ distracted), finger gets caught between seat and backrest |
Minor pinching of finger |
1 |
Unfolding the chair |
1 |
1/500 |
Low risk |
Gripping the seat at back corner while unfolding |
1/50 |
|
||||
Finger gets caught |
1/10 |
> 1/1 000 |
||||
Minor pinching |
1 |
|
||||
Person unfolds the chair, grips seat at the side by mistake (Person inattentive/ distracted), finger gets caught between seat and link |
Minor pinching of finger |
1 |
Unfolding the chair |
1 |
1/500 |
Low risk |
Gripping the seat at the side while unfolding |
1/50 |
|
||||
Finger gets caught |
1/10 |
> 1/1 000 |
||||
Minor pinching |
1 |
|
||||
Person unfolds the chair, chair is clamped, person tries to push down the seat and grips seat close to the corner by mistake (Person inattentive/ distracted), finger gets caught between seat and backrest |
Fracture of finger |
2 |
Unfolding the chair |
1 |
1/500 000 |
Low risk |
Chair clamps |
1/1 000 |
|
||||
Gripping the seat at corners while unfolding |
1/50 |
|
||||
Finger gets caught |
1/10 |
> 1/1 000 000 |
||||
Fracture of finger |
1 |
|
||||
Person unfolds the chair, chair is clamped, person tries to push down the seat and grips seat at the side by mistake (Person inattentive/ distracted), finger gets caught between seat and link |
Fracture of finger |
2 |
Unfolding the chair |
1 |
1/500 000 |
Low risk |
Chair clamps |
1/1 000 |
|
||||
Gripping the seat at the side while unfolding |
1/50 |
|
||||
Finger gets caught |
1/10 |
> 1/1 000 000 |
||||
Fracture of finger |
1 |
|
||||
Person is sitting on chair, wants to move the chair and tries to lift it by gripping the chair at the rear part of the seat, finger gets caught between seat and backrest |
Loss of digit |
3 |
Sitting on chair |
1 |
1/6 000 |
High risk |
Moves the chair while sitting |
1/2 |
|
||||
Grips chair at rear part while moving |
1/2 |
|
||||
Chair partially folds, creating a gap between the backrest and seat |
1/3 |
> 1/10 000 |
||||
Finger is between backrest and seat |
1/5 |
|
||||
Finger gets caught |
1/10 |
|
||||
Loss of (part of) finger |
1/10 |
|
||||
Person is sitting on chair, wants to move the chair and tries to lift it by gripping the chair at the rear part of the seat, finger gets caught between seat and link |
Loss of digit |
3 |
Sitting on chair |
1 |
1/6 000 |
High risk |
Moves the chair while sitting |
1/2 |
|
||||
Grips chair at rear part while moving |
1/2 |
|
||||
Chair partially folds, creating a gap between the backrest and seat |
1/3 |
> 1/10 000 |
||||
Finger is between backrest and seat |
1/5 |
|
||||
Finger gets caught |
1/10 |
|
||||
Loss of (part of) finger |
1/10 |
|
6.2.
Socket protectors
Injury scenario |
Injury type and location |
Severity of injury |
Probability of injury |
Overall probability |
Risk |
|
Protector is removed from the socket, which becomes unprotected. Child is playing with thin conductible object, which can be inserted into the socket, accessing high voltage and is electrocuted. |
Electrocution |
4 |
Removal of protector |
9/10 |
27/160 000 |
Serious risk |
Not noticing the removal of protector |
1/10 |
|
||||
Child is playing with thin conductible object |
1/10 |
|
||||
Child is unattended when playing |
1/2 |
> 1/10 000 |
||||
Child inserts the object into the socket |
3/10 |
|
||||
Access to voltage |
1/2 |
|
||||
Electrocution due to voltage (without circuit interrupter) |
1/4 |
|
||||
Protector is removed from the socket, which becomes unprotected. Child is playing with thin conductible object, which can be inserted into the socket, accessing high voltage and sustains shock. |
Burns 2nd degree |
1 |
Removal of protector |
9/10 |
81/160 000 |
Low risk |
Not noticing the removal of protector |
1/10 |
|
||||
Child is playing with thin conductible object |
1/10 |
|
||||
Child inserts the object into the socket |
3/10 |
|
||||
Access to voltage |
1/2 |
> 1/10 000 |
||||
Child is unattended when playing |
1/2 |
|
||||
Burn due to electric current (without circuit interrupter) |
3/4 |
|
||||
Socket unprotected. Child is playing with thin conductible object, which can be inserted into the socket, accessing high voltage and is electrocuted. |
Electrocution |
4 |
Child is playing with thin conductible object |
1/10 |
3/80 000 |
High risk |
Child is unattended when playing |
1/100 |
|
||||
Child inserts the object into the socket |
3/10 |
|
||||
Access to voltage |
1/2 |
> 1/100 000 |
||||
Electrocution due to voltage (without circuit interrupter) |
1/4 |
|
6.3.
Sensitivity analysis
Injury scenario |
Injury type and location |
Severity of injury |
Probability of injury |
Resulting probability |
Risk |
||||||||
Seeds or beans catch fire generating high flames. Furniture or curtains catch fire. Persons are not in room, but inhale toxic fumes. |
Fatal poisoning |
4 |
|
0 00675 > 1/1 000 |
Serious |
Consumers |
Description |
Very vulnerable consumers |
Very young children: 0 to 36 months Others: Persons with extensive and complex disabilities |
Vulnerable consumers |
Young children: Children older than 36 months and younger than 8 years. Older children: Children 8 to 14 years Others: Persons with reduced physical, sensory or mental capabilities (e.g. partially disabled, elderly, including those over 65, with some reduction in their physical and mental capabilities), or lack of experience and knowledge |
Other consumers |
Consumers other than very vulnerable or vulnerable consumers |
Hazard group |
Hazard (product property) |
Typical injury scenario |
Typical injury |
Size, shape and surface |
Product is obstacle |
Person trips over product and falls; or person bumps into product |
Bruising; fracture, concussion |
Product is impermeable to air |
Product covers mouth and/or nose of a person (typically a child), or covers internal airway |
Suffocation |
|
Product is or contains small part |
Person (child) swallows small part; the part gets stuck in larynx and blocks airways |
Choking, internal airway obstruction |
|
Possible to bite off small part from product |
Person (child) swallows small part; the part gets stuck in the digestive tract |
Digestive tract obstruction |
|
Sharp corner or point |
Person bumps into sharp corner or is hit by moving sharp object; this causes a puncture or penetration injury |
Puncture; blinding, foreign body in eye; hearing, foreign body in ear |
|
Sharp edge |
Person touches sharp edge; this lacerates the skin or cuts through tissues |
Laceration, cut; amputation |
|
Slippery surface |
Person walks on surface, slips and falls |
Bruising; fracture, concussion |
|
Rough surface |
Person slides along rough surface; this causes friction and/or abrasion |
Abrasion |
|
Gap or opening between parts |
Person puts a limb or body in opening and finger, arm, neck, head, body or clothing is trapped; injury occurs due to gravity or movement |
Crushing, fracture, amputation, strangulation |
|
Potential energy |
Low mechanical stability |
Product tips; person on top of product falls from height, or person near product is hit by the product; electrical product tips, breaks and gives access to live parts, or continues to work heating nearby surfaces |
Bruising; dislocation; sprain; fracture, concussion; crushing; electric shock; burns |
Low mechanical strength |
Product collapses by overloading; person on top of product falls from height, or person near product is hit by the product; electrical product tips, breaks and gives access to live parts, or continues to work heating nearby surfaces |
Bruising; dislocation; fracture, concussion; crushing; electric shock; burns |
|
High position of user |
Person at high position on the product loses balance, has no support to hold on to and falls from height |
Bruising; dislocation; fracture, concussion; crushing |
|
Elastic element or spring |
Elastic element or spring under tension is suddenly released; person in the line of movement is hit by the product |
Bruising; dislocation; fracture, concussion; crushing |
|
Pressurised liquid or gas, or vacuum |
Liquid or gas under pressure is suddenly released; person in the vicinity is hit; or implosion of the product produces flying objects |
Dislocation; fracture, concussion; crushing; cuts (see also under fire and explosion) |
|
Kinetic Energy |
Moving product |
Person in the line of movement of the product is hit by the product or run over |
Bruising; sprain; fracture, concussion; crushing |
Parts moving against one another |
Person puts a body part between the moving parts while they move together; the body part gets trapped and put under pressure (crushed) |
Bruising; dislocation; fracture; crushing |
|
Parts moving past one another |
Person puts a body part between the moving parts while they move close by (scissor movement); the body part gets trapped between the moving parts and put under pressure (shearing) |
Laceration, cut; amputation |
|
Rotating parts |
A body part, hair or clothing of a person is entangled by the rotating part; this causes a pulling force |
Bruising; fracture; laceration (skin of the head); strangulation |
|
Rotating parts close to one another |
A body part, hair or clothing of a person is drawn in by the rotating parts; this causes a pulling force and pressure on the body part |
Crushing, fracture, amputation, strangulation |
|
Acceleration |
Person on the accelerating product loses balance, has no support to hold on to and falls with some speed |
Dislocation; fracture, concussion; crushing |
|
Flying objects |
Person is hit by the flying object and depending on the energy sustains injuries |
Bruising; dislocation; fracture, concussion; crushing |
|
Vibration |
Person holding the product loses balance and falls; or prolonged contact with vibrating product causes neurological disorders, osteoarticular disorder, trauma of the spine, vascular disorder |
Bruising; dislocation; fracture; crushing |
|
Noise |
Person is exposed to noise from the product. Tinnitus and hearing loss may occur depending on sound level and distance |
Hearing injury |
|
Electrical Energy |
High/low voltage |
Person touches part of the product that is at high voltage; the person receives an electric shock and may be electrocuted |
Electric shock |
Heat production |
Product becomes hot; a person touching it may sustain burns; or the product may emit molten particles, steam, etc., that hits a person |
Burn, scald |
|
Live parts too close |
Electric arc or sparks occur between the live parts. This may cause a fire and intense radiation |
Eye injury; burn, scald |
|
Extreme temperatures |
Open flames |
A person near the flames may sustain burns, possibly after clothing catches fire |
Burn, scald |
Hot surfaces |
Person does not recognise the hot surface and touches it; the person sustains burns |
Burn |
|
Hot liquids |
Person handling a container of liquid spills some of it; the liquid falls on the skin and causes scalds |
Scald |
|
Hot gases |
Person breathes in the hot gases emitted from a product; this causes lung burn; or prolonged exposure to hot air causes dehydration |
Burn |
|
Cold surfaces |
Person does not recognise the cold surface and touches it; the person sustains frostbite |
Burn |
|
Radiation |
Ultraviolet radiation, laser |
Skin or eyes of a person are exposed to radiation emitted by the product |
Burn, scald; neurological disorders; eye injury; skin cancer, mutation |
High intensity electromagnetic field (EMF) source; low frequency or high frequency (microwave) |
Person is close to the electromagnetic field (EMF) source, body (central nervous system) is exposed |
Neurological (brain) damage, leukaemia (children) |
|
Fire and explosion |
Flammable sub stances |
Person is near the flammable substance; an ignition source sets the substance on fire; this causes injuries to the person |
Burn |
Explosive mixtures |
Person is near the explosive mixture; an ignition source causes an explosion; the person is hit by the shock wave, burning material and/or flames |
Burn, scald; eye injury, foreign body in eye; hearing injury, foreign body in ear |
|
Ignition sources |
The ignition source causes a fire; a person is injured by flames, or intoxicated by gases from the house fire |
Burn; poisoning |
|
Overheating |
Product overheats; fire, explosion |
Burn, scald; eye injury, foreign body in eye; hearing injury, foreign body in ear |
|
Toxicity |
Toxic solid or fluid |
Person ingests substance from product, e.g. by putting it in mouth, and/or substance gets on skin |
Acute poisoning; irritation, dermatitis |
Person breathes in solid or fluid, for example vomited material (pulmonary aspiration) |
Acute poisoning in lungs (aspiration pneumonia); infection |
||
Toxic gas, vapour or dust |
Person inhales substance from product; and/or substance gets on skin |
Acute poisoning in lungs; irritation, dermatitis |
|
Sensitising substance |
Person ingests substance from product, e.g. by putting it in mouth; and/or substance gets on skin; and/or person inhales gas, vapour or dust |
Sensitisation; allergic reaction |
|
Irritating or corrosive solid or fluid |
Person ingests substance from product, e.g. by putting it in mouth, and/or substance gets on skin or in eyes |
Irritation, dermatitis; skin burn; eye injury, foreign body in eye |
|
Irritating or corrosive gas or vapour |
Person inhales substance from product, and/or substance gets on skin or in eyes |
Irritation, dermatitis; skin burn; acute poisoning or corrosive effect in lungs or in eyes |
|
CMR substance |
Person ingests substance from product, e.g. by putting it in mouth, and/or substance gets onto skin; and/or person inhales substance as gas, vapour or dust |
Cancer, mutation, reproductive toxicity |
|
Microbiological contamination |
Microbiological contamination |
Person gets into contact with contaminated product by ingestion, inhalation or skin contact |
Infection, local or systemic |
Product operating hazards |
Unhealthy posture |
Design causes unhealthy posture of person when operating the product |
Strain; musculoskeletal disorder |
Overexertion |
Design requires use of considerable force when operating the product |
Sprain or strain; musculoskeletal disorder |
|
Anatomical unsuitability |
Design is not adapted to human anatomy, which makes it difficult or impossible to operate |
Sprain or strain |
|
Ignoring personal protection |
Design makes it difficult for a person wearing protection to handle or operate the product |
Various injuries |
|
Inadvertent (de)activation |
Person can easily (de)activate product, which leads to unwanted operation |
Various injuries |
|
Operational inadequacy |
Design provokes faulty operation by a person; or product with a protective function does not provide expected protection |
Various injuries |
|
Failure to stop |
Person wants to stop the product, but it continues to operate in situation where this is unwanted |
Various injuries |
|
Unexpected start |
Product shuts down during a power failure, but resumes operation in a hazardous way |
Various injuries |
|
Inability to stop |
In an emergency situation, person is not able to stop operation of the product |
Various injuries |
|
Inadequately fitting parts |
Person tries to fit a part, needs too much force to fit, product breaks; or part is too loosely fitted and becomes loose during use |
Sprain or strain; laceration, cut; bruising; entrapment |
|
Missing or incorrectly fitted protection |
Hazardous parts are reachable for a per son |
Various injuries |
|
Insufficient warning instructions, signs and symbols |
User does not notice warning instructions signs and/or does not understand symbols |
Various injuries |
|
Insufficient warning signals |
User does not see or hear warning signal (optical or audio), causing dangerous operation |
Various injuries |
|
NB: This table is for guidance only; the typical injury scenarios should be adapted when preparing a risk assessment. There is specific risk assessment guidance for chemicals, cosmetics and possibly others. It is highly recommended to use this specific guidance when assessing such products. See section 3.2. |
Table 3
Severity of injury
Introduction
Type of injury |
Severity of injury |
|||
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
|
Laceration, cut |
Superficial |
External (deep) (> 10 cm long on body) (> 5 cm long on face) requiring stitches Tendon or into joint White of eye or cornea |
Optic nerve Neck artery Trachea Internal organs |
Bronchial tube Oesophagus Aorta Spinal cord (low) Deep laceration of internal organs Severed high spinal cord Brain (severe lesion/ dysfunction) |
Bruising (abrasion/ contusion, swelling, oedema) |
Superficial ≤ 25 cm2 on face ≤ 50 cm2 on body |
Major > 25 cm2 on face > 50 cm2 on body |
Trachea Internal organs (minor) Heart Brain Lung, with blood or air in chest |
Brain stem Spinal cord causing paralysis |
Concussion |
— |
Very short unconsciousness (minutes) |
Prolonged unconsciousness |
Coma |
Entrapment/ pinching |
Minor pinching |
— |
(Use as appropriate the final outcomes of bruising, crushing, fracture, dislocation, amputation, as applicable.) |
(Same outcome as for suffocation/ strangulation.) |
Sprain, strain, musculoskeletal disorder |
Extremities Joints Spine (no dislocation or fracture) |
Knee ligaments strain |
Ligament or tendon rupture/tear Muscle tear Whiplash |
— |
Dislocation |
— |
Extremities (finger, toe, hand, foot) Elbow Jaw Loosening of tooth |
Ankle Wrist Shoulder Hip Knee Spine |
Spinal column |
Fracture |
— |
Extremities (finger, toe, hand, foot) Wrist Arm Rib Sternum Nose Tooth Jaw Bones around eye |
Ankle Leg (femur and lower leg) Hip Thigh Skull Spine (minor compression fracture) Jaw (severe) Larynx Multiple rib fractures Blood or air in chest |
Neck Spinal column |
Crushing |
— |
— |
Extremities (fingers, toe, hand, foot) Elbow Ankle Wrist Forearm Leg Shoulder Trachea Larynx Pelvis |
Spinal cord Mid-low neck Chest (massive crushing) Brain stem |
Amputation |
— |
— |
Finger(s) Toe(s) Hand Foot (Part of) Arm Leg Eye |
Both extremities |
Piercing, puncturing |
Limited depth, only skin involved |
Deeper than skin Abdominal wall (no organ involvement) |
Eye Internal organs Chest wall |
Aorta Heart Bronchial tube Deep injuries in organs (liver, kidney, bowel, etc.) |
Ingestion |
— |
— |
Internal organ injury (Refer also to internal airway obstruction where the ingested object gets stuck high in the oesophagus.) |
Permanent damage to internal organ |
Internal air way obstruction |
— |
— |
Oxygen flow to brain blocked without permanent consequences |
Oxygen flow to brain blocked with permanent consequences |
Suffocation/ Strangulation |
— |
— |
Oxygen flow to brain blocked without permanent consequences |
Fatal suffocation/ strangulation |
Submersion/ Drowning |
— |
— |
— |
Fatal drowning |
Burn/Scald (by heat, cold, or chemical substance) |
1°, up to 100 % of body surface 2°, < 6 % of body surface |
2°, 6-15 % of body surface |
2°, 16-35 % of body surface, or 3°, up to 35 % of body surface Inhalation burn |
2° or 3°, > 35 % of body surface Inhalation burn requiring respiratory assistance |
Electric shock |
(See also under burns as electric current can cause burns.) |
Local effects (temporary cramp or muscle paralysis) |
— |
Electrocution |
Neurological disorders |
— |
— |
Triggered epileptic seizure |
— |
Eye injury, foreign body in eye |
Temporary pain in eye without need for treatment |
Temporary loss of sight |
Partial loss of sight Permanent loss of sight (one eye) |
Permanent loss of sight (both eyes) |
Hearing injury, foreign body in ear |
Temporary pain in ear without need for treatment |
Temporary impairment of hearing |
Partial loss of hearing Complete loss of hearing (one ear) |
Complete loss of hearing (both ears) |
Poisoning from substances (ingestion, inhalation, dermal) |
Diarrhoea, vomiting, local symptoms |
Reversible damage to internal organs, e.g. liver, kidney, slight haemolytic anaemia |
Irreversible damage to internal organs, e.g. oesophagus, stomach, liver, kidney, haemolytic anaemia, reversible damage to nerve system |
Irreversible damage to nerve system Fatality |
Irritation, dermatitis, inflammation or corrosive effect of substances (inhalation, dermal) |
Local slight irritation |
Reversible eye damage Reversible systemic effects Inflammatory effects |
Lungs, respiratory insufficiency, chemical pneumonia Irreversible systemic effects Partial loss of sight Corrosive effects |
Lungs, requiring respiratory assistance Asphyxia |
Allergic reaction or sensitisation |
Mild or local allergic reaction |
Allergic reaction, widespread allergic contact dermatitis |
Strong sensitisation, provoking allergies to multiple substances |
Anaphylactic reaction, shock Fatality |
Long-term damage from contact with substances or from exposure to radiation |
Diarrhoea, vomiting, local symptoms |
Reversible damage to internal organs, e.g. liver, kidney, slight haemolytic anaemia |
Damage to nervous system, e.g. Organic Psycho Syndrome (OPS; also called Chronic Toxic Encephalopathy, also known as ‘painters' disease’). Irreversible damage to internal organs, e.g. oesophagus, stomach, liver, kidney, haemolytic anaemia, reversible damage to nervous system |
Cancer (leukaemia) Effects on reproduction Effects on offspring CNS depression |
Microbiological infection |
|
Reversible damage |
Irreversible effects |
Infection requiring prolonged hospitalisation, antibiotics-resistant organisms Fatality |
Probability of damage during foreseeable lifetime of the product |
Severity of injury |
||||
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
||
High [Bild bitte in Originalquelle ansehen] Low |
>50 % |
H |
S |
S |
S |
> 1/10 |
M |
S |
S |
S |
|
> 1/100 |
M |
S |
S |
S |
|
> 1/1 000 |
L |
H |
S |
S |
|
> 1/10 000 |
L |
M |
H |
S |
|
> 1/100 000 |
L |
L |
M |
H |
|
> 1/1 000 000 |
L |
L |
L |
M |
|
< 1/1 000 000 |
L |
L |
L |
L |