Managing Risk, Part 1

Whether climbing towers or working underwater, we work in areas with significant inherent risks. To complete our work successfully, it is critically important that we understand and manage that risk in a repeatable way that is understandable for everyone involved. Nearly everything we do has been done before in industry, and there is a substantial database to pull from when we assess risk. We look at sources like IMCA and ADCI safety flashes, the OSHA Accident Results Search Page and other sources to track known incidents associated with the work we plan to perform.

We then use that data to assess both severity and likelihood of an incident. If the initial risk is too high to proceed, specific mitigations must be applied (more on that in the next post) to reduce the risk to As Low As Reasonably Practicable (ALARP, more on this later too). The residual risk is where we end up after mitigations have been applied, and a "go-no go" decision is made then.

Below is an example of the risk assessment matrix, which allows a number value to be assigned to an activity based on probability and severity of an accident resulting from it. The matrix is fairly self-explanatory, and its' effectiveness depends on factual data instead of anecdotal or personal experiences, which is where the sources above are useful.

If you're not familiar with this process, it can seem dry and disconnected from the actual work being done in the field. In reality, when this tool is used by managers who are experienced in the work being planned it is crucial to ensuring the work is planned and executed safely.