Risk Assessment Knowledge Relating to Occupational Health and Safety Risks: A Case Study of Five Finnish Companies

The chapter delves into the critical role of risk assessment in promoting occupational health and safety (OHS) and preventing accidents. It highlights the difficulties companies face in identifying hazards and evaluating risks, despite the availability of frameworks like the MSAH Workbook. The study, conducted through semi-structured interviews with safety experts from five Finnish companies, identifies key areas for development, including the subjectivity in risk magnitude assessment, underutilization of risk assessment results, and challenges in using OHS systems. The findings underscore the need for more effective training, better utilization of risk assessment outcomes, and simpler guidelines for OHS systems. The chapter offers valuable insights into the current state of risk assessment practices in Finnish industries and suggests avenues for improvement, making it a must-read for professionals seeking to enhance their risk assessment strategies.