Sensible risk management

Sensible risk management

It is refreshing to see this statement from the UK Health and Safety Executive which attempts to define the principles of what Safety and Risk Management is and is not: (see it published here: http://www.hse.gov.uk/risk/principles.htm but please read it carefully!)

So why is there such a disparity between the principles of the Regulator and the silly, convoluted stuff (and all of it’s dangerous by-products) that we see on worksites??

Sensible risk management

Risk management is about taking practical steps to protect people from real harm and suffering – not bureaucratic back covering.

Taking a sensible approach to risk management is about:

• ensuring that workers and the public are properly protected
• enabling innovation and learning not stifling them
• ensuring that those who create risks manage them responsibly and understand that failure to manage significant risks responsibly is likely to lead to robust action
• providing overall benefit to society by balancing benefits and risks, with a focus on reducing significant risks – both those which arise more often and those with serious consequences
• enabling individuals to understand that as well as the right to protection, they also have to exercise responsibility

It is not about:

• reducing protection of people from risks that cause real harm
• scaring people by exaggerating or publicising trivial risks
• stopping important recreational and learning activities for individuals where the risks are managed
• creating a totally risk-free society
• generating useless paperwork mountains

If you believe some of the stories you hear, health and safety is all about stopping any activity that might possibly lead to harm. This is not our vision of sensible health and safety – we want to save lives, not stop them.

In order to address some of these stories, or myths, surrounding health and safety, HSE has set up the Myth Busters Challenge Panel. The challenge panel provides a mechanism for anyone (whether on behalf of a company or organisation, or as an individual), who receives advice or is told that a decision has been taken in the name of health and safety that they believe to be disproportionate or inaccurate, to challenge that advice.

Have a read of some of the safety myths that the UK HSE has “busted”: Don’t be fooled by myths. If in doubt – check!

RECOMMENDED FURTHER READING:

Risky Conversations, The Law, Social Psychology and Risk …

Risky Conversations, The Law, Social Psychology and Risk + Free, Must Watch Video. A new book by New book by Dr Rob Long, Greg Smith and Craig Ashhurst … https://safetyrisk.net/risky-conversations-the-law-social-psychology-and-risk/