## 2 Materials and Methods
### Characteristics of Occupational Hazards  
According to the definition [12], \"hazard identification\" is not merely the process of recognizing hazards but, more importantly, determining their characteristic features. As stated in [5], \"characterization\" refers to the description of features that define a person or object, while a \"feature\" is an element that distinguishes or defines living beings, objects, their activities, conditions, or phenomena. In the context of hazard characterization, this means establishing the defining characteristics of each identified hazard. However, in business practices, occupational risk assessments often omit this step, failing to document or analyze the key attributes of hazards. Conducting hazard identification solely to confirm the existence of a hazard is insufficient for selecting the appropriate risk assessment method [6; 11; 14; 32; 36; 37; 38; 39]. This limitation can lead to situations where an incorrect assessment method is applied, failing to identify the need for risk control measures. The primary reasons for omitting hazard characterization include:  
* The use of a single, pre-selected risk assessment method chosen before a detailed analysis of hazard characteristics. Figure 1: Sources of the new classification of factor groups contributing to occupational hazards in hard coal mining. A lack of exploration into alternative risk assessment techniques, which reduces the credibility of the results. Determining the characteristic features of hazards is a critical process in which a detailed hazard description is established. Without this step, risk assessments may fail to accurately reflect workplace hazards, leading to ineffective safety measures. A comprehensive approach integrating hazard characterization ensures a more reliable and effective occupational risk management process. Both literature data and standards indicate that the following aspects should be considered when determining hazard characteristics [17]:  
* Physicochemical data of chemical compounds and dust;
* Descriptions of energy types, including their values (e.g., reactivity, concentration, voltage, current, kinetic energy, potential energy, electrical energy, etc. );
* Information on work methods and organization, including duration, load, work techniques, working posture, cycle count, and task repetition;
* Effects of hazards, such as injuries, illnesses, and work-related discomfort;
* Statistical data for probability estimation (e.g., accident records, severity, and frequency);
* Legal requirements and literature data, including safety data sheets for hazardous substances, biological agent product sheets, and technical material information sheets;
* Threshold values for harmful exposure (e.g., Threshold Limit Values, TLVs). Hazard classification can be conducted based on various criteria, including causes, nature of effects, consequences, measurability, external and internal causes, and applied preventive measures [17; 40]. These criteria can simultaneously serve as characteristic features of hazards. The explanatory notes for the \"Z-10 Workplace Conditions Report\" form [10] provide examples of features of selected factors, which, when a person comes into contact with a hazardous factor, may lead to injuries. For instance, mechanical hazards related to particularly dangerous machines can be described using the following characteristic features: kinetic and potential energy (including pressurized fluids), shape, dimensions, surface properties, stability, and mechanical strength. Publications related to hazard identification focus on two primary aspects:  
* Hazard sources;
* Consequences of hazards. To enhance hazard characterization, two types of features have been established:  
* Characteristics of hazard sources;
* Characteristics of hazard effects. A parameter is defined as a variable considered constant within a specific context, either to highlight its distinct role in relation to other variables or to represent a characteristic value specific to a material, process, or device [5].