Risk Management: what is it?
Risk management is the systematic process of assessing risk and acting in such a manner, or implementing policies and procedures in order to avoid or minimize loss associated with such risk. Essentially, risk management is a set of actions that reduces the risk of a problem, a failure, or an accident. The ISO 31000 defines risk management as “the effect of uncertainty on objectives”.
For the most part, risk management methods consist of the following methods:
- Identify and characterize threats
- Assess the vulnerability of critical assets to specific threats
- Determine the risk (i.e. the expected likelihood and consequences of specific types of attacks on specific assets)
- Identify ways to reduce those risks
- Prioritize risk reduction measures based on strategy
Risk Management: know the definitions
Hazard: something with the likelihood to cause harm
Harm: physical injury or damage to health.
Risk: likelihood the hazard is realized – it happens
Severity: likelihood hazard or risk will occur, and the number of people affected and extent of consequences
Control Measures: the arrangements made to reduce risk
Risk Matrix
The purpose of the risk matrix is to determine the risk category. Once you have identified the project risks, review each risk in turn and assess both the likelihood of the risk happening and the severity of the impact on the project if the process doesn’t go as planned.
Consequences
Risk Management: FLRA is more than just a funny word
Field Level Risk Assessment (FLRA) is a process used to assess the related hazards and their risks for a specific task or job.
A FLRA:
- Helps reduce injury and to process loss
- Is an industry standard
- Is a requirement of most industrial establishment’s safety program
- Is a requirement on most work sites
A FLRA should be completed:
- At the start of each shift
- Before re-starting work which has been stopped for a period of time
- When site or work conditions change during a job
- Before starting a new task or job for which there is no safe work procedure
- Always check for specific requirements with onsite contact or employer
Who Can Conduct a FLRA?
- Anyone can conduct a FLRA
- All members of the work team need to participate
- Sometimes other personnel on the work side need to be included
- Sometimes a specialist or person familiar with the job and site needs to be involved
Risk Management: your basic rigging plan
Follow this basic rigging plan to manage risk and avoid potential hazards. When you plan each lift, ask yourself the following questions:
- Has a competent rigger been assigned?
- Has a risk assessment been conducted with all team members?
- What is the communication plan?
- Has the rigging been inspected? (Pre-lift and annually?)
- Is the rigging fit for the load type and purpose? (I.E. WLL, material, size, etc.)
- What is the weight of the load?
- Where is the load’s center of gravity?
- What is the sling angle?
- Will there be any side or angular loading?
- Are wear pads required against corners, edges, protrusions or abrasive surfaces?
- Have the applicable hitches been selected for load control and stability?
- Will personnel be in the way of the load or lifting equipment?
- Is there any possibility of snagging? (Vertical, horizontal, travel path)?
- Are there environmental concerns? (I.E. wind, temperature, visibility, power lines)
- Is a tag line required to control the load?
Risk Management: complete a pre-use check
Pre-use safety checks are required before a rigger uses any lifting equipment or accessories – follow the manufacturer instructions and applicable ASME standards.
This includes a basic physical check of the equipment, which can significantly reduce the risk of health and safety issues that may arise on site during everyday operations.
ASME Standards
ASME Standards state: ASME B30.9 requires that sling users shall be trained in the selection, inspection, cautions to personnel, effects of environment, and rigging practices. Sling identification is required on all types of slings.
ASME B30.26 requires that rigging hardware users shall be trained in the selection, inspection, cautions to personnel, effects of environment, and rigging practices. All rigging hardware to be identified by manufacturer with name or trademark of manufacturer.
References: https://www.iso.org/home.html
