How to Reduce Risks

Risk mitigation methods in ISO 12100 use protective measures aimed at risk mitigation. We will implement these protective measures until risks are at acceptable levels and ultimately aim to reduce them.
These protective measures are roughly divided into those taken by the designer (3-step method) and by the user.

Flow of protection measures for risk reduction

3-step Method (Protective measures taken by designers)

The protective measures taken by designers are known as a three-step method and go in order of priority. They are classified into:
1. Intrinsic safety design measures
2. Safeguarding and additional protection measures
3. Usage warnings

3-step method flow

STEP1. Intrinsic safety design measures

  • First, eliminate or isolate the hazard, or design in a way that reduces its risk.

STEP2. Safeguarding

  • If reducing the risk through STEP 1’s intrinsic safety design is impossible or insufficient, the following safeguards will be taken.

    1. Spatial isolation

    Completely isolate hazards with a fixed safety fence

    2.Temporary isolation (Stop hazards)

    Install a safety fence with an interlock

    ・ When a hazard can be stopped immediately
    Install a door switch, etc.

    ・ When a hazard cannot be stopped immediately
    Install a door switch with an electromagnetic lock, etc.

    ・ To detect when a person gets too close
    Install safety light curtains, etc.

    ・ To detect whether a person is there
    Install a laser scanner, etc.

STEP3. Usage information

  • If the risk cannot be completely removed or reduced (= residual risk), a warning label will be attached and a description will be given in the instruction manual.