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Risk Aware Newsletter
Is Risk Management a Passing Fad?
It has been argued that risk management is at a stage in its life cycle where it could begin to deliver real benefits - or it could disappear without trace like so many of the fads that have come and gone before it. Business leaders are concerned about a growing legislative push, yet despair at the resources and effort needed to comply, let alone generate tangible benefits. They see a heavy focus on documentation, audit trails and other devices - aimed at avoiding possible future losses rather than capitalising on the advantages of the present. Can this be avoided? Should risk management be allowed to go the way of the fads? Or are there opportunities to beat the competition and gain some real advantage?...
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Procedural controls - Are they effective?
In dealing with measures to mitigate risk, it often happens that procedures are chosen as a control action. This is understandable, because higher-level controls that are available may be less feasible or more costly. Eliminating the source of the risk - or redesigning the equipment or systems - are likely to be more effective than procedural controls, but the cost benefit may not be demonstrated. This concept is recognised in regulations. For example, NSW Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 2001 obliges us to adopt measures (in the order specified) to minimise risk to the lowest level reasonably practical. Procedural controls rate second last in the hierarchy. Despite this, procedural controls are commonly used. But just how effective are they? What can be done to strengthen them as a control measure? Are there cases where their use would be ill advised?...
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Equipment failures - examples from US civil aviation
Aircraft systems provide an interesting insight into many of the principles of Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA). Redundant systems, layered protections and detection of faults are important parts of modern aviation designs. Although many potential failure modes can be anticipated in advance, it often happens that mishaps and actual failures are sources of much additional information. Not all mishaps result in loss of life - but sadly in two of the cases outlined here, aircraft were on landing approaches where very little time was available for the flight crews to identify the failure and take corrective actions. All lives were lost on both aircraft. The two tragic accidents were eventually traced to the same failure - although in the first accident other causes were wrongly attributed initially...
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Risk Lessons from Fatal Helicopter Accident near Mackay, Qld
The tragic loss of a Sea King helicopter from HMAS Kanimbla, during humanitarian operations in earthquake-ravaged Indonesia again highlights the risk such operations pose. Apart from military operations, many people would associate helicopters with community rescue services. They are a familiar sight on the news bulletins and in the air near major cities.
However a news bulletin on 17 October 2003 was particularly distressing. An Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Bell 407 helicopter flying from Mackay to Hamilton Island crashed into the sea killing all three crewmembers. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau's (ATSB) final report found that 'spatial disorientation of the pilot was likely'. ATSB found that the circumstances of the accident combined most of the risk factors known to be associated with EMS accidents. What can we learn from this?...
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Changes to Dangerous Goods Regulation - What Does this Mean for Employers?
What is changing? The regulation of the storage and handling of dangerous goods (apart from explosives) is now included as part of OH&S Regulation 20011. This places dangerous goods in a risk management framework, consistent with all other types of hazards found in workplaces. This creates new obligations for employers...
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