Risk principles

Managing risks, identifying risks and implementing suitable controls to complete work in a safe manner.

It requires directing, controlling and being accountable for:

• Systematically identifying hazards and risks in all aspects of our planning and operations that can affect achievement of our objectives.
• Identifying suitable controls including ongoing continual review process.
• Implementing these controls to prevent or minimise an incident from occurring.
• Evaluate foreseeable threats to a level that reduces hazard and risk that makes for a safe workplace.
• Document the controls and regularly review for effectiveness.

The successful management of risks will increase the likelihood of completing the work in a safe manner. E.g. In construction / mining, each high risk task should have a Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) incorporating the job steps, hazards and controls to be implemented.

A risk management framework will assist companies to maximise their organisational resilience and capacity to continually improve performance that will support the sustainability of their operations.

Effective risk management is required by legislation and is integral to complying governance and good management by your employer.

Employer responsibilities

Employers must:

• Provide and maintain equipment and systems of work that are safe and without risks to health.
• Provide the correct lifting, rigging and height safety equipment to complete their task safely.

Employee responsibilities

• Take care of the health and safety of themselves and fellow workers and anyone else in the direct vicinity.
• Cooperate with everyone while at work.
• Calculate the weight of loads, shape, attachments points, slinging method and the centre of gravity of the load to be lifted.
• The weight of the load to be lifted should be marked on the delivery docket or on the load in a clear legible plain English. (If not, ask the supervisor).
• Select the appropriate sling and working load limit (WLL). (Calculators provided in this guide will assist in the correct selection of slings).
• Conduct a pre inspection of the lifting equipment and document/record findings.
• Attach the lifting equipment to the load, check the connections are correctly installed.
• Provide direction (Verbal, Radio, signal, whistles) to the crane or hoist operator for the movement of the load and confirm that they understand the directions.
• On completion of the works, inspect the lifting equipment and store equipment correctly.

ISO Management System Standards such as ISO 31000 – Risk Management, ISO 9001 -Quality and ISO 45001 -OH&S has discipline specific information on risk management principles, the framework, roles and responsibilities, planning, processes, communication, monitoring and review, and continual improvement for additional/supplementary material.