The industrial hygienist, safety professional and safety lawyer handle many safety problems in response to a workplace emergency and/or accident. Solving problems once they have occurred is a requirement, but the true goal is to prevent problems from arising in the first place. Risk engineering techniques are effective in accomplishing this goal. Risk engineering techniques provide a thorough, systematic approach to evaluate and reduce occupational hazards.

1. Define the facility and environments. Include functions, purpose of the facility and equipment, uses, foreseeable misuses, all environments in which it will operate, and the life-cycle phases of interest.