**4. Professional risk assessment as part of risk management process in SMEs**

Risk management is the process (see figure 10) of identifying riskand its sources (Gavrilescu, 2009), assessing risk, and taking steps to reduce risk to an acceptable level (Rosu et al., 2010a). Commonly, the risk management process (RMP) includes three phases: *risk identification*, *risk analyses* & *risk feedback*. Risk management process is an important component of a successful project development process (see in figure 11 the project management process). Risk is associated with knowledge resources and infers that problems would be caused due to the loss or inadequacy of knowledge (McBriar et al., 2003).

In the enterprise, we can distinguish some basic project components (steps) in the development of a project: start of project study, start project planning, start project execution, basic project design ready, project introduction, project monitoring and controlling, release project product, project product acceptance, close project and retrospective investigation of project. The individual parties involved in a project adopt different terminology for describing risks, use different methods and tehniques for dealing with risk analysis and management, producing different and conflicting results (Tah and Carr, 2001). The complex relationship between an employee's knowledge, attitude, and behavior was not sufficiently explored (Khachkalyan et al., 2006). Enterprise project development presupposes knowledge and assumption of multiple risks. In a project, risks are those conditions or events whose occurrence is not certain, but whether they occur may adversely affect the project. The RMP should not be treated primarily as a technical function carried out by the IT experts who operate and manage the IT system, but as an essential management function of the organization.

In EU countries there is an experience and good practice both in classifying, identifying, and evaluating risks and in eliminating and reducing those (Botezatu et al., 2008). Among others we can mention that at SMEs level, a lot of attention is paid to: air quality (ventilation

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Development Support to Professional Risk Assessment in SMEs 129

Fig. 11. The *risk management process* (RMP) as part of project management process (PMP)

(EASHW, 2007a). To assess professional risk at the workplace we need to know:

off-site (including drivers, those visiting clients' or customers' homes, etc.);

What work equipment, materials, and processes are used;

What the potential consequences of existing hazards are;

What legal and other requirements are related to the workplace, etc.

What tasks are performed;

reported;

What protective measures are used;

Under health and safety laws, all employers must carry out regular risk assessment

 Where the workplace and/or the jobs performed are located and who works there: pay particular attention to those for whom occupational hazard may be more severe than usual, such as pregnant women, young workers or workers with disabilities; remember also about part-time workers, subcontractors and visitors, and employees who work

What accidents, occupational diseases and other occurrences of ill health have been

systems), pressure equipments, elevators, lifting equipments and accessories, noise, construction sites, shipyards, illumination, electricity, individual protection equipments, explosives, extraction of fat using flammable substances, fires, fixed refrigeration systems, heat systems, machinery, flammable liquids or liquefied gases, chemical hazard, depots, air cooling towers, etc. (Yule et al., 2007).

Fig. 10. The SMEs *risk matrix*

Risk identification consist of hazard identification. A hazard is anything that has the potential to cause harm. A hazard is identified as a situation with a potential for causing harm to human safety, the environment, property or business, regardless of how likely or unlikely such an occurence might be (Gasparotti, 2010). Hazards can affect people, property, processes; they can cause accidents and ill-heath, loss of output, damage to machinery, etc. workplace accidents and professional illnesses mustn't be perceived only as fatality, as it is more lucrative to consider them as a malfunction of the processes taking places in SMEs (Botezatu et al., 2008). Occupational risk refers to the likelihood and the severity of an injury or an illness occurring as a result of exposure to a hazard. The main aim of occupational risk assessment is to protect workers health and safety. Risk assessment helps to minimize the possibility of the workers or the environment being harmed due to work-related activities. It also helps to keep your business competitive and effective. Professional risk can be assessed in seven steps, as presented in figure 12 (Rosu et al., 2010a).

But, why is Professional safety and health an essential part of good SMEs business? Professional safety and health (EASHW, 2007b):


systems), pressure equipments, elevators, lifting equipments and accessories, noise, construction sites, shipyards, illumination, electricity, individual protection equipments, explosives, extraction of fat using flammable substances, fires, fixed refrigeration systems, heat systems, machinery, flammable liquids or liquefied gases, chemical hazard, depots, air

Risk identification consist of hazard identification. A hazard is anything that has the potential to cause harm. A hazard is identified as a situation with a potential for causing harm to human safety, the environment, property or business, regardless of how likely or unlikely such an occurence might be (Gasparotti, 2010). Hazards can affect people, property, processes; they can cause accidents and ill-heath, loss of output, damage to machinery, etc. workplace accidents and professional illnesses mustn't be perceived only as fatality, as it is more lucrative to consider them as a malfunction of the processes taking places in SMEs (Botezatu et al., 2008). Occupational risk refers to the likelihood and the severity of an injury or an illness occurring as a result of exposure to a hazard. The main aim of occupational risk assessment is to protect workers health and safety. Risk assessment helps to minimize the possibility of the workers or the environment being harmed due to work-related activities. It also helps to keep your business competitive and effective. Professional risk can be assessed

But, why is Professional safety and health an essential part of good SMEs business?

in seven steps, as presented in figure 12 (Rosu et al., 2010a).

 Helps demonstrate that a business is socially responsible; Protects and enhances brand image and brand value;

 Enables enterprises to meet customers' OSH expectations; Encourages the workforce to stay longer in active life.

Professional safety and health (EASHW, 2007b):

 Helps maximize the productivity of workers; Enhances employees' commitment to the business; Builds a more competent, healthier workforce; Reduces business costs and disruption;

cooling towers, etc. (Yule et al., 2007).

Fig. 10. The SMEs *risk matrix*

Fig. 11. The *risk management process* (RMP) as part of project management process (PMP)

Under health and safety laws, all employers must carry out regular risk assessment (EASHW, 2007a). To assess professional risk at the workplace we need to know:


A Knowledge Management Framework as Knowledge Bases

regularly cleaned?

from falling down?

from falling down?

cylinders?

vehicles?

summer?

... … … … … …

rules for inference engine operations), such as:

Table 1. The Hazard Checklist

representation of knowledge production rules.

petrol)?

work?

3

5

6

10

Development Support to Professional Risk Assessment in SMEs 131

obtained. To achieve the KBS professional assessment of risk was used the method of

**No. Hazard Yes No**  *Does the hazard exist at the workplace?* 

<sup>1</sup>Do workers have suitable capabilities and skills to perform their work?

<sup>2</sup>Are flat surfaces (floor, inspection pit, etc.)

<sup>4</sup>Is the inspection pit safely covered after

Are flat surfaces (floor, inspection pit in service station, etc.) paint resistant from substances that are used (e. g., oil, diesel,

Is the inspection pit suitably marked or surrounded with handrails to prevent people

Is the inspection pit suitably marked or surrounded with handrails to prevent people

<sup>7</sup>Are there marked (e.g. on the floor) ways for cars to enter the service station?

<sup>8</sup>Are employees told not to step on brake tester

<sup>9</sup>Are employees told not to step under raised

Is the temperature in the service station suitable for work in during both winter and

<sup>11</sup>Are there defined safety rules for assembly work (e. g. bodywork, engine)?

<sup>12</sup>Are there defined safety rules for work with

<sup>13</sup>Are there instruction to avoid fire in the room

<sup>14</sup>Are there measures implemented to avoid explosion when batteries are charged?

**Answer sum:** 

In the *AUTOSER.KBS* knowledge base (KB) there are *if-then* structure rules (excluding the

petrol tanks (e. g. repairing)?

in which batteries are stored?

<sup>15</sup>Are there measures in place to protect electrical equipment from water?

Fig. 12. The professional risk assessment (PRA) steps
