Lesson 6.1 · 5 min

When the assessment must be reviewed

Open in the coursewith narrated slides, a checklist to tick off and a quiz

At a glance

Adjust when things change. The assessment must be reviewed where needed and adjusted to changing circumstances; measures must be checked for effectiveness.
After accidents and illnesses. In particular after accidents, when there is good reason to suspect work-related illness, and after incidents with increased psychological stress.
New equipment, substances, methods. When new equipment, substances or methods are introduced, with new knowledge, and with other circumstances that point to a hazard.
On reasoned request. And when the labour inspectorate asks with good reason.
Record every review. The document is adjusted too: who reviewed, when, and for which area.

In detail

Ongoing, not one-off

The identification and assessment of hazards must be reviewed where needed and adjusted to changing circumstances. The measures set must be checked for effectiveness and adjusted where needed, with the aim of improving working conditions § 4(4) ASchG. § 4 sets no fixed interval for this; it names triggers.

The triggers

A review, and adjustment where needed, must take place in particular § 4(5) ASchG:

§ 4(5)	Trigger
no. 1	after accidents
no. 2	when illnesses occur and there is good reason to suspect they are work-related
no. 2a	after incidents with increased work-related psychological stress
no. 3	with other circumstances or events that point to a hazard to safety or health
no. 4	when new work equipment, substances or methods are introduced
no. 5	with new knowledge within the meaning of § 3(2) ASchG
no. 6	when the labour inspectorate asks with good reason

Pregnant and breastfeeding employees have triggers of their own § 2a(3) MSchG; see lesson 2.5.

Into the document

With every review and adjustment, the safety and health document must be adjusted too, and it must show who reviewed, when, and for which area § 3 DOK-VO.

A suggestion from this course, not a rule: the regular site visits by the safety specialist and the occupational physician § 77a ASchG are a good moment to go through what has happened since the last visit.

Checklist

After every accident, we check whether the assessment still holds.
New equipment, substances and methods trigger a review.
After stressful incidents, we also review psychological strain.
Every review is in the document with name, date and area.

Quiz

Does § 4 ASchG set a fixed review interval, such as yearly?

Yes, every year
Yes, every five years
No, a review is never needed
No; it requires a review where needed and names triggers such as accidents or new equipment

Show the answer

The answer is D: No; it requires a review where needed and names triggers such as accidents or new equipment. § 4(4) and (5) ASchG require a review where needed and in particular on the triggers named, without a fixed interval.

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.