subject: Find The Good Risk Management Systems [print this page] Find them first with a good risk management system
An effective risk management system provides the ability to anticipate workplace risks, rather than react to incidents and accidents, enabling your OHS management efforts to operate more strategically. Simply put, when you can plan ahead, you reduce workplace accidents and fatalities as well as associated legal and operational costs.
Much more than simply meeting requirements
With effective risk assessment as an integrated part of OHS management efforts, overall operational efficiency is also continually being improved. While improving safety is the driving factor behind risk management, it also puts into action a concerted and managed effort to improve the way things are done within the workplace. Furthermore, it creates a formalised system where all employees can raise concerns, helping to create a greater sense of personal safety and involvement in the companys safety culture.
What to look for in a risk management system
Simplicity. A system that is difficult to use does not get used. To get the best results your system needs to be used to its fullest capacity. It is not uncommon for companies to spend good time and money on a system just to have it sit there doing very little or nothing at all. Look for a system that utilises familiar functionality that can be easily understood by anyone who might need to use it.
Results oriented functionality. Having a risk management system that simply enables you to record workplace risks will offer little more to your OHS management capabilities than a database. Your system should provide the functionality to ensure that risks are assessed and eliminated.
An ability to assign people to all relevant tasks, as well as send reminders and reports to all stakeholders will also help to ensure that risks are eliminated in the best possible way and timeframe.
Online capability. There are a number of clear benefits of having a web-hosted risk management system. Firstly, no IT! There is usually a great sense of relief from all knowing that the IT department wont have to be involved. Secondly and more importantly no matter how large or complex your organisation may be, all risks can be managed on a single integrated system. It can also provide all OHS managers an instant overview of the entire companys risk issues and solutions. That way, when a risk is discovered in one location it can automatically alert managers to identical, or similar, risks in other locations.
How to find a good risk management system
Yes, there are some good ones out there. Professional networks are a good place to gain insight into whats being used, how and to what effect. A Google search will also get you started. Search with keywords, incident reporting system or risk management and youll be on the right track. But make sure you do the home work and know what your organisations risk management needs are.
