Lesson 1.2 · 6 min
The seven areas, and who needs special protection
Open in the coursewith narrated slides, a checklist to tick off and a quiz
At a glance
- Seven areas. The assessment must cover seven areas in particular, from the workplace, equipment and substances to work organisation and training.
- Workplace, equipment, substances. How the premises are designed and fitted out, which work equipment is used and which substances are handled.
- Workstations, methods, organisation. How workstations and work methods are designed, what tasks, workflows and organisation look like, and how well the staff are trained and instructed.
- People who need special protection. Workers who are particularly at risk or in need of protection must be considered too, and their fitness in terms of constitution, strength, age and qualification.
- Maintenance and disruptions too. The Labour Inspectorate advises assessing not only normal operation but also maintenance, repairs and fixing foreseeable faults.
In detail
The seven areas
When identifying and assessing hazards, the following must be considered in particular § 4(1) nos. 1 to 7 ASchG:
| No. | Area in the act | For example |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | the design and fitting-out of the workplace | traffic routes, steps, lighting, indoor climate, escape routes |
| 2 | the design and use of work equipment | ladders, machines, tools, vehicles, screens |
| 3 | the use of work substances | cleaning agents and disinfectants, paints, adhesives |
| 4 | the design of workstations | screen workstation, workbench, treatment chair, checkout |
| 5 | the design of work methods and processes and how they interact | lifting and carrying, working on ladders, working alone |
| 6 | the design of tasks and the type of activities, the work environment, workflows and work organisation | time pressure, interruptions, customer contact, working hours |
| 7 | the state of the workers' training and instruction | new staff, apprentices, language skills |
The examples in the right-hand column are prompts, not a list from the act. Psychological strain sits in no. 6; lesson 2.3 covers it.
Who needs special protection
Workers who are particularly at risk or in need of protection must also be considered, as must the workers' fitness in terms of constitution, strength, age and qualification § 4(2) ASchG. In particular, it must be assessed where specific hazards can arise for workers who enjoy special protection. The Labour Inspectorate names inexperienced workers, young people, pregnant women and people with disabilities as examples (Labour Inspectorate). Pregnant and breastfeeding employees also have their own assessment duty under the Maternity Protection Act; see lesson 2.5.
Not just normal operation
From its inspections, the Labour Inspectorate advises assessing every hazard not only for normal operation but also for maintenance and repair work and for fixing foreseeable faults (Labour Inspectorate). The act itself requires arrangements for foreseeable disruptions and for emergency and rescue measures § 4(3) ASchG.
Checklist
- We have gone through all seven areas of § 4(1) ASchG.
- Work organisation, with time pressure and workflows, is covered.
- Young, new and specially protected workers are considered separately.
- Maintenance, repairs and foreseeable faults are assessed, not just normal operation.
- Emergency and rescue measures are set.
Quiz
In which of the seven areas does psychological strain sit?
- Design and use of work equipment
- Design and fitting-out of the workplace
- Tasks, workflows and work organisation
- Use of work substances
Show the answer
The answer is C: Tasks, workflows and work organisation. § 4(1) no. 6 ASchG names the design of tasks, the type of activities, the work environment, workflows and work organisation. That is where factors like time pressure or frequent interruptions belong.
Sources
This lesson's statements rest on:
Not legal advice. What counts is the Workers Protection Act (ASchG) and its regulations in the Federal Legal Information System (read on 4 October 2026). Rules for areas outside the ASchG, such as agriculture and forestry or the public service, and special rules for particular substances or sectors are not covered. Not an offer of the Labour Inspectorate, the AUVA or the Chamber of Commerce.