Risk Assessment with the Key Indicator Methods (KIM)
Identify deficiencies - devise measures
The Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (Bundesanstalt für Arbeitsschutz und Arbeitsmedizin, BAuA) played the lead role in the development of the Key Indicator Methods, which can be classified as screening methods, but presuppose a good knowledge of the workplaces that are to be assessed. The Key Indicator Methods allow deficiencies in work design to be identified and flag up measures that can reduce the risk of negative health effects.
baua: Aktuell - Issue 1/2025Physical workloads in the workplace may put employees’ health at risk over the long term. The Key Indicator Methods offer a systematic approach that can be used to identify and assess different kinds of workload and devise targeted occupational safety and health measures. An overview is given by the article on physical workloads in the workplace and risk assessment using the Key Indicator Method published in baua: Aktuell 1/2025 (p. 6; German).
Basic check and initial screening
The Key Indicator Methods cover six different types of workload in all. A specific Key Indicator Method has been developed for each of these kinds of workload. First of all, it is therefore necessary to clarify which physical workloads are actually experienced at the workplace under assessment. This can be done by carrying out a basic check combined with an initial screening. These make it possible to easily work out which of the six Key Indicator Methods are relevant for the workplace in question.
The six Key Indicator Methods
The six brochures from the baua: Praxis series explain step by step how to assess risks using the inventory of Key Indicator Methods. Paper forms with instructions for the following six types of physical workload are available in German, in English, French, Italian, Spanish, Swedish, Dutch and Turkish:
manual lifting, holding and carrying of loads,
manual pushing and pulling of loads,
manual handling operations,
whole-body forces,
awkward body postures, and
body movement.
Additionally, the practical froms include instructions that help implementing the Methods within the organisation. To make implementation particularly easy, interactive versions of the forms are also available with integrated calculation fields. The forms can be downloaded in English and six other languages in the sections "Forms and Publications" and "Forms in other languages I and II" further down on this page.
The short version of the research report drawn up when the Methods were developed contains plenty of material suitable for use in training. The print edition can be ordered from BAuA and also includes the forms for the six Key Indicator Methods.
Researching the Key Indicator Methods
The Key Indicator Methods have been evaluated extensively and trialled in many businesses. It is on this basis that BAuA recommends the Key Indicator Methods for application in practice. Anyone who would like to learn more and try the Methods out for themselves will find links to BAuA’s scientific publications about the Key Indicator Methods on this page.
If you have questions about the Key Indicator Methods, please contact BAuA’s Information Centre.
Instructions for use of the PDF form for workload type-specific summary of assessments with the key indicator methods across different subtasks of a workday (KIM-Multi-E)
Validation of newly developed and redesigned key indicator methods for assessment of different working conditions with physical workloads based on mixed-methods design: a study protocol
The draft of the new draft key indicator method "manual lifting, holding and carrying loads" (KIM LHC): Aspects of background, objectivity, reliability and criterion validity
The draft of the new key indicator method for "manual pushing and pulling of loads" (KIM PP): Aspects of background, objectivity, reliability and criterion validity
Project numberF 2195StatusCompleted Project
Evaluation of a risk assessment method for manual handling tasks at lower forces and higher frequency - "Key indicator method for assessing physical workload during manual handling operations"
Metodo degli indicatori chiave per la valutazione e la pianificazione di sforzi in caso di sollevamento, sostegno e trasporto manuale di carichi ≥ 3 kg (KIM-LHC)
Método de propiedades de control para la evaluación y el diseño de cargas en la elevación, sujeción y transporte manuales de cargas de ≥ 3 kg (KIM-LHC)
Ağırlığı ≥ 3 kg olan yüklerin elle kaldırılması, tutulması ve taşınmasına bağlı olarak fiziksel zorlanmaların değerlendirilmesi ve tasarımı için Anahtar Gösterge Yöntemi (KIM-LHC)
