Abstract
Work accidents prevention is one of the strongest paradigms of safety management. When developing its own mental accident
causation model, the occupational health and safety professional should acknowledge the benefits and drawbacks of the various
available models, to be able to critically assess the most fitted risk assessment tools for practical applications. Nevertheless, he
should be skilled enough to make the difference between "what is happening?" and what "should happen?" in the work
environment. This paper is aimed at developing a rational systematization of 31 occupational risk assessment methods. It gives
clear selection criteria for practical application of most adequate tools. The results obtained will support the decision - making
process within the health and safety management process in industrial work environments.