Dear Reader,

As health and safety professionals, we’re always looking for ways to manage risk in our businesses. I think if someone told us that wearing pink and singing three times a day would keep our employees safe from harm, we would do it… well, perhaps not. But, the industry is always trying to create and implement systems.

Take the ISO 31000, and how it standardises risk management, for instance…

This standard offers a common framework and process to manage organisational opportunities as well as threats.

ISO 31000 is a paramount standard to:

• ISO 9000
• ISO 14000
• OHSAS 18000 

 
It guides the application of these related standards within a comprehensive risk management system.

Any organisation’s risk management should be capable of review and evaluation by any risk manager or auditor. ISO 31000 sets a framework for ‘components that provide the foundation and organisational arrangement for designing, implementing, monitoring, reviewing and continually improving risk management processes.’

Like other global management systems, the framework of 31000 follows the:

• Plan
• Do
• Check
• Act 

 
model. It also provides the following six guidelines:

6 practical guidelines to follow with the ISO 31000

How to

• implement risk management
• identify risks
• manage risks
• improve organisational performance
• maximise opportunities and minimise losses
• maintain and raise awareness of opportunities and risks 

Warning! The standard is a guideline document, and you can’t use it for certification.

If you belong in one of the following categories, it’s recommended you use it:

• Management system implementers
• Risk managers
• Divisional managers
• Auditors
• Board members 

9 steps to successfully implement ISO 31000

Step #1: Define your risk
Step #2: Adopt a ‘business principles’ approach
Step #3: Conduct risk management regularly and consistently
Step #4: Ensure success
Step #5: Design a risk management framework
Step #6: Understand your organisational context
Step #7: Assign accountability
Step #8: Allocate resources
Step #9: Implement

For the full details on following these nine steps, have a look at my blog or visit www.christelfouche.com. 

Remember: risk management begins with a risk assessment

To properly prevent, control and minimise risk in your company, you need to assess how serious the risks are, and what actions you need to take to protect your employees. To do this, you need to perform a comprehensive detailed risk assessment. Read R01: Risk assessments in your Health and Safety Advisor to find out:

• The benefits of doing risk assessments
• 8 laws you must comply with – don’t get caught for not doing risk assessments
• Make sure your team understands these definitions
• 4 types of risk assessments – make sure you choose the correct type

In the name of safety,
Christel Fouché

PS: Your PA’s Halloween costume just cost you R100 000!

Maisie came dressed as an Egyptian mummy to your office party. Problem is, she borrowed the bandages from your company’s first aid kit!

If a Department of Labour inspector visits your company and Maisie hasn’t got ‘round to replacing what she took, he’ll fine you R100 000 for non-compliance.

Forget Maisie, and her ignorance… here’s the real assistant to help you maintain your company’s safety standards.

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