The authors draw attention to the new definition of the term occupational disease risk and its assessment in the sense of Act no. 155/2000 which is valid from January 1, 2001. The problem concerns in particular doctors engaged in preventive care in workplaces. The authors mention when it is necessary to use occupational risk and instructions how to proceed when occupational risk is suspected.

        Key words: occupational diseases - occupational disease risk - preventive care at the workplace - preventive examination.