RISK MANAGEMENT
Safety is a byproduct of risk management. Don’t run with scissors! The people we’ve worked with in the field would appreciate that line as safety is so much more than a catch phrase to get your attention. Many individuals believe that safety training or briefings are a waste of time, that they are not as important as we make them out to be.
Our personal take is that “Safety” is the ability to complete a task, job or assignment with the least probability of injury, illness or death. That pretty much includes everything we might do. From operating equipment, to opening a box with a cutter, etc.
The recognition of dangers, exposures, hazards and threats which may be identified through Job Task Analysis and Hazard Analysis.
Most emergency responders are well versed in their respective fields of expertise (Fire-Rescue-EMS-Law Enforcement-Emergency Mgt-Public Health & Safety, etc)
On a daily operational level the exposure to hazards is recognized and addressed through specific relevant training and communication.
The hazards, exposures and safety demands of a major event don’t care about your job description. A firefighter, public works crew, electricians, emergency management personnel, medical staff, a faith based volunteer, law enforcement, construction workers, animal services, etc. Anyone of, or perhaps many will run the risk of exposure to hazardous circumstances and situations which may adversely affect their lives. In some instances, it may affect their lives forever.
Principle Risk Management Steps:
- Identify Hazards in Major Events: This step occurs during the earliest planning phase of an operation and is an integral function in the overall planning process. Hazards must be identified for each course of action in the tactical decision making process. Determine the mission essential tasks required to accomplish the mission and list the hazards that have been identified onto a worksheet. Commanders and staff use risk management procedures to identify all hazards associated with required tasks.
The recognition of dangers, exposures, hazards and threats which may be identified through Job Task Analysis and Hazard Analysis.
- Assess Hazards: Determine the level of risk involved in each task by looking at established guidelines. This will demonstrate the probability of an accident occurrence and the possible severity of the result should it occur. With this information risk assessments for each course of action can be achieved by assessing the probability and severity of each hazard. An analysis of all the effects of variables on the operation would include such things as weather and equipment availability.
- Develop Controls and Measures: When ever risks cannot be eliminated, supervision will control them by developing and using control measures. A control measure is developed for each hazard to enhance mission accomplishment and avoid unnecessary safety restrictions that will overburden the plan making it impossible to complete the mission.. Risk decisions for selected review are accepted at that risk level or an elevation in the risk decision is made to proper levels.
- Implement Controls: Choose the best control measures to reduce the risk potential to an acceptable level. Refined the approved control measures and integrate them into the directives. Implement controls during mission execution. List the residual risks and any remarks to minimize any oversight.
- Supervise and Evaluate: Evaluate the effectiveness of the controls measures. Eliminate, modify, and/or adjust control measures as necessary to meet changing situations. Capture
and disseminate lessons learned from mishaps for future use. This information will be useful in evaluating the overall mission and in development of future operational plans.
