Glossary · Safety information
Residual risk statement
In safety documentation, a residual risk statement is a statement that describes a risk remaining after protective measures have been applied and the actions required from users to manage it, such as precautions, protective equipment or training.
- Technical documentation
- Standards
In one sentence
A residual risk statement tells users which risk remains after protective measures and what they must do about it.
Example
“Hot surfaces remain at the sealing station for up to 20 minutes after shutdown. Wear heat-resistant gloves and wait until the temperature indicator shows green before cleaning.”
How it applies
- Machine safety: Each residual risk recorded in the risk assessment should have a corresponding statement in the information for use. The statement is the output of the third step of risk reduction.
- Technical documentation: State the hazard, where and when it occurs, the possible harm and the required user action. Vague statements such as “observe all safety rules” do not qualify.
- Placement: Give an overview in the safety chapter, and repeat the relevant statement as a warning message in the tasks where the risk arises.
- Evidence: Keep a trace between each residual risk, its statement and its locations in the documentation, so that a change in the risk assessment triggers the right updates.
Residual risk statement vs. warning message
A residual risk statement describes what risk remains and what users must do overall. A warning message is a structured, task-specific alert placed at the point of danger. The same residual risk usually results in one statement and several warning messages.