Risk Management Systems: Not Finding The Right One Is A Risky Business

By Author: incidentreportt
Total Articles: 12
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All OHS professionals recognise the importance of having a well-managed and robust risk management system – and understand the implications of a poorly run one. Yet very few would be able to boast a risk management system that they feel adequately achieves the levels of management they strive to achieve.

Most organisations do have some kind of system in place. This is the problem. While the system may be inadequate, it is usually being used to some extent so the exercise of improving it gets put on the back burner, or worse still, put in the too hard basket! The result, of course, is that hazards aren’t being identified, safety assessments aren’t being made, and incidents aren’t being reported and if they are they’re not being corrected. Every OHS professional understands the potentially disastrous outcome of a faulty risk management system. Yes most operate with one on a daily basis.

This “fingers crossed” style of OHS management, while clearly dangerous, is far too common.

How do I find the right one?

Know what you need to achieve. You can only begin to improve your risk management ...
... by understanding where your biggest risks lie and what parts of your systems need improving. That might not sound too difficult but ask yourself a few questions and you might be surprised.
Do you know what percentage of incidents aren’t being reported?
Do you know what the time lapse between incident reporting and completion of corrective action is?
Do your staff know what their obligations are when it comes to reporting hazards and incidents?
Do the reports you produce help or hinder your compliance obligations?
Do you know where you are non-compliant? (Because there are areas where you almost certainly are!)

An analysis of OHS management weaknesses is not a task many OHS managers are keen to put upon themselves. But it is an essential step to improving your risk management and should be approached – and presented to all involved – as exactly that.

Once you know what needs improving and what you need to achieve, you can search for solutions that address these weaknesses directly. Not only does this provide the most effective way to improve your precise situation, it is usually the most cost-effective as you only need to spend money where it is needed.

So ask the tough questions. The answers will provide the solutions you need to find the right risk management system. The implications of not taking action are exactly what you’re employed to prevent!

Every company is different - different organisational structure, different safety-related language. Make sure your Incident report or Risk Management Systems provides the ability to customise to your company's specifics. For more information,please visit our website http://www.incidentreporting.com.au