ΜΕΕΚ – Μελέτη Εκτίμησης Επαγγελματικού Κινδύνου | Law 3850/2010, Article 43 | ISO 45001:2018 §6.1.2.1
Every employer in Greece is legally required to maintain a written assessment of occupational risks — known as the ΜΕΕΚ (Μελέτη Εκτίμησης Επαγγελματικού Κινδύνου). This obligation, set out in Article 43 of Law 3850/2010, applies to all enterprises regardless of sector or size.
Beyond legal compliance, a rigorous hazard identification and risk assessment process is the cornerstone of any effective health and safety management system. For organisations pursuing or maintaining ISO 45001 certification, the written risk assessment directly satisfies the requirements of clause 6.1.2.1 — Hazard Identification, providing a documented foundation for all subsequent OHS planning and control activities.
MBO's consultants bring the technical expertise to carry out thorough, practical, and fully documented assessments — helping your organisation meet its obligations, protect its workforce, and build a proactive safety culture.
Greek Law 3850/2010 (the Code of Laws on Worker Health and Safety) codifies the employer's obligation to carry out and maintain a written occupational risk assessment. Article 43 specifies both the scope and the methodology of this requirement.
The law defines the written risk assessment as a systematic examination of all work activities carried out in the organisation. It must be prepared by the designated safety technician, occupational physician, or an external occupational safety and health service (ΕΞΥΠΠ), and must address the following:
For organisations implementing or maintaining ISO 45001:2018 — the international standard for Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems — clause 6.1.2.1 requires the establishment, implementation and maintenance of a process for ongoing and proactive hazard identification.
The ΜΕΕΚ we prepare in compliance with Greek law is structured to simultaneously satisfy the requirements of ISO 45001:2018 §6.1.2.1. This dual-compliance approach means that a single, well-crafted risk assessment fulfils both your statutory obligations and your certification requirements, reducing duplication of effort and documentation burden.
Our hazard identification process considers all the factors required by the standard, providing the documented foundation for your OHS planning, objectives, and operational controls.
All regular operations as well as periodic, maintenance, emergency and contractor activities are assessed — not just day-to-day tasks.
Hazards are evaluated with respect to all workers — employees, contractors, visitors, and members of the public who may be affected by the organisation's activities.
The assessment accounts for how work is organised, human behaviour, social factors, workload, shift patterns, and leadership — not just physical hazards.
Past incidents and near-misses, as well as new or changed hazards arising from organisational changes, new equipment or substances, are systematically incorporated.
Our workplace risk assessments systematically cover the full spectrum of occupational hazard categories defined by both Greek law and international best practice.
Moving parts, cutting tools, pressure systems, lifting equipment, vehicles, and unguarded machinery — evaluated against Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC and EN standards.
Electrical installations, low/high voltage exposure, arc flash, inadequate earthing, and defective equipment — assessed per IEC standards and ELOT EN 50110.
Occupational noise exposure levels measured and compared to action values (80/85 dB(A)) per Directive 2003/10/EC, with risk to hearing and communication assessed.
Hazardous substances, carcinogens, sensitisers, skin/respiratory irritants — evaluated against OELs, REACH, CLP, and Directive 2004/37/EC on carcinogens.
Inhalation risks from airborne contaminants including combustible dusts, organic solvents, welding fumes, and process gases — with ventilation adequacy review.
Heat stress, cold stress, and contact burns in workplaces with extreme temperatures — including thermal comfort, WBGT index evaluation, and personal protection requirements.
Ionising radiation (X-ray, gamma) and non-ionising radiation (UV, laser, EMF, optical) — exposure limits per Directives 2013/59/Euratom, 2006/25/EC, and 2013/35/EU.
Micro-organisms, endotoxins, allergens, and biological substances in healthcare, food, agriculture, and waste management — classified per Directive 2000/54/EC.
Ignition sources, flammable liquids, explosive atmospheres (ATEX), inadequate suppression systems, and emergency evacuation deficiencies across all work areas.
Work-related stress, burnout, excessive workload, shift work, job insecurity, and inadequate management practices — assessed using structured psychosocial risk tools.
Workplace environmental conditions — lighting, humidity, air quality, vibration — that indirectly affect worker health, performance, and well-being over time.
Slips, trips, falls from height, falling objects, manual handling injuries, and inadequate housekeeping — the most frequent causes of workplace accidents in all sectors.
Musculoskeletal risks from repetitive motion, awkward postures, heavy lifting, and workstation design — evaluated against EN 1005 standards and EN ISO 9241.
Physical and psychological violence, workplace harassment, and third-party aggression — assessed per Greek Law 4808/2021 on prevention and management of harassment.
Interactions between multiple simultaneous risk factors — e.g. chemical + thermal, noise + vibration, psychosocial + ergonomic — that may produce compounded effects.
MBO provides end-to-end occupational hazard and risk assessment services, from initial site survey through to the complete written ΜΕΕΚ and supporting documentation.
A structured walkthrough of all work areas and activities, conducted together with the safety technician and key personnel, to identify and record all hazard sources first-hand.
Hazards are evaluated using both qualitative and semi-quantitative methods (risk matrices), considering severity, probability, and duration of exposure to rank risks and guide decision-making.
A fully compliant written risk assessment document in accordance with Article 43 of Law 3850/2010, ready for signature by the competent persons and disclosure to workers' representatives.
Recommended control measures following the hierarchy of controls (elimination, substitution, engineering, administrative controls, PPE), with a prioritised action plan and implementation timeline.
Where needed, we structure the hazard identification documentation to simultaneously satisfy the requirements of ISO 45001:2018 §6.1.2.1, supporting your certification process without duplication.
Periodic reviews of the risk assessment following changes in working conditions, after incidents, or on a scheduled basis — ensuring your ΜΕΕΚ remains current and effective over time.
We review your organisation's activities, workforce, existing documentation and any prior assessments to define the scope and approach of the assessment.
A systematic on-site inspection covering all work areas, activities, and relevant equipment. Findings are recorded with reference to applicable legal and technical standards.
Each hazard is quantified using the R = S × E × P formula — multiplying Severity (S), Exposure (E), and Probability (P) to produce a risk score that positions the hazard on the risk matrix and drives prioritisation of controls.
The complete written ΜΕΕΚ is prepared, together with an action plan. We brief the relevant personnel and support implementation of the recommended controls.
Contact us to discuss your organisation's requirements. We'll provide a clear proposal and explain how we can help you achieve full compliance with Art. 43 of Law 3850/2010 and ISO 45001:2018.