Open Journal of Safety Science and Technology, 2016, 6, 99-125 http://www.scirp.org/journal/ojsst ISSN Online: 2162-6006 ISSN Print: 2162-5999 DOI: 10.4236/ojsst.2016.64009 December 19, 2016 Application of a Configurable Model for Risk Assessment in the Work Sites Fernando Oliveira Nunes Instituto Superior de Engenharia de Lisboa (ISEL), Lisbon, Portugal Abstract This paper presents a configurable model for occupational risk analysis, supported in decision matrix risk assessment with variable indexes dimensions and weightings. The formulation proposed seeks to overcome typical limitations such as range com- pression effect, mistakenly over classification of smaller risks and subjective input information. Also it allows its customization for each type of risk as a function of input information available in order to minimize subjectivity, while normalizing output for the calculated risk levels with a percent scale. This approach facilitates the implementation of models built to go along with the life of installations with period- ically updates to fulfill accumulated data. To avoid discontinuation of procedures and practices implemented in the organizations, the model also enables the easy in- corporation of risk assessment and control procedures based on risk classification matrixes, already in use regardless of their size and sector of activity. Keywords Configurable Model, Occupational Risk Assessment, Decision Matrix Risk Assessment, Multidimensional Risk Matrices, Severity Indexes 1. Introduction According to the general principles established by law the employer is obliged to ensure their employees conditions of safety, hygiene and health in all aspects related to work, integrating all the activities in the enterprise, establishment or service and at all levels to assess risks to health and safety of workers, with the adoption of appropriate measures of prevention and protection, including, among others, reducing the risk of accidents and limiting exposures to physical, chemical and biological agents at work. Occupational risk management is now required by the laws of safety, hygiene and health at work, in general, and specifically in some sectors of activity thus the lack of How to cite this paper: Nunes, F.O. (2016) Application of a Configurable Model for Risk Assessment in the Work Sites. Open Journal of Safety Science and Technology, 6, 99-125. http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/ojsst.2016.64009 Received: September 28, 2016 Accepted: December 12, 2016 Published: December 19, 2016 Copyright © 2016 by author and Scientific Research Publishing Inc. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution International License (CC BY 4.0). http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Open Access