Risk Registers: Control your risks
17-02-2016There are two challenges every OHS adviser needs to overcome to be effective. Firstly, know your subject backwards and second, find a way to manage your controls.
Knowing your subject is one area which uses the experience and inquisitive nature of your OHS Representative. This is the time spent out consulting with your team identifying what the likelihood (Frequency x Exposure) and eventual consequences of a risk as well as researching, discussing, analysing and generally breaking down your risks. The more you know about your subject, the more practical, refined and effective your controls can be.
Many organisations get the above correct via general and specific risk assessment methods such as: Workplace inspections, pre-start checklists, hazard reporting, toolbox meetings etc. these are great for sparking general discussion around safety. However, as the items raised often stay within the assessment tool, any corrective actions identified (i.e. Training required, plant guarding, PPE needed etc.) become out of sight, out of mind and not managed well.
The second challenge we face is keeping a track record of your risks and systematically controlling them. The purpose of a risk register is to collate, prioritise, schedule and make accountable persons for the control and review of organisational risks identified by the various processes (above) required by your safety/risk system. As a result, a Risk Register is the main tool SafetyZone OHS Consultants use when guiding and mentoring senior management review, approve and monitor necessary controls within their organisations.
Risk registers come in a number of formats (i.e. Excel, paper, cloud based) and depending on the size, culture, industry and complexity of your business, finding your best fit is a process of truly understanding your business.
Following, are some key components which should be included in your Risk Register to ensure an effective and systematic approach to Risk Management:
| Component | Explanation |
| Location: | Where the risk resides, be as specific as possible. |
| Date Identified: | The date this was first raised. |
| Hazard Description: | What the risk is, link relevant documents i.e. Hazard Reports. |
| Risk: | Likelihood x Consequences: Refer to your Risk Matrix |
| Control Effectiveness: | Identify how effective the agreed control is, remember to priorities using the ‘Hierarchy of control’ |
| Residual Risk: | Following the effectiveness review, identify any further risks existing which may be able to be controlled. |
| Date Due: | These should be prioritised by Risk, generally where there is an uncontrolled Very High or High risk, the process must stop until controls are in place. |
| Accountable for completion: | Be specific, identify by name and position to ensure there is no ‘handballing’ when it comes to duties. |
| Resources: | What resources will be required and allocated. |
| Approval for Resources: | Depending on the level of resource, certain approvals are generally required (i.e. Manager, CFO, Board) identify these parties in the risk register and ensure they are consulted. |
| Close of date: | Date the risk has been controlled, in the case of interim risk; this can close off at its current risk level and re-added at a lower level if required. |
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