The Effectiveness of the Existing Occupational Safety Risk Assessment Process in the Republic of Croatia: An Empirical Study of the Views of Occupational Safety Experts

Risk assessment is a cornerstone of effective occupational health and safety (OHS) management, yet its efficacy often varies in practice. Evaluating legislative frameworks is essential for enhancing the practical application of safety standards. This study examines the state of the risk assessment process in Croatia from the perspective of OHS experts to provide recommendations for improvement and standardization. A digital survey was conducted among registered OHS experts via the national Information System for Occupational Safety (ISZNR). Data from 967 OHS experts were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The hypothesis that current risk assessment processes are insufficiently effective was partially accepted, as a significant portion of the surveyed OHS experts perceive them as having limited functional effectiveness. While 33% of experts view the current prescribed mandatory risk assessment methodology as effective, more than half of respondents (56%) identified that risk assessments are predominantly adjusted to formal requirements rather than to actual work conditions. Statistical analysis showed no significant differences in perceptions of risk assessment effectiveness based on OHS experts’ support for mandatory legal frameworks for standardization (Q19; p = 0.259) or the active usage of digital tools (p = 0.984). However, a statistically significant relationship was observed regarding general attitudes toward quality improvement through standardization (Q17; p < 0.05) and the perceived utility of digitalization (p < 0.001). The study concludes that the current process requires further improvement and suggests detailed sectoral analyses for future research.