Risk Management 

• What is risk management?
• Risk management guidelines.
• What is a risk assessment?
• What is a risk register?
• Resolving an OHS hazard or issue.

 What is Risk Management

Risk management involves having a systematic process for addressing hazards in the workplace. It is the process of:

• Identifying any foreseeable hazard - anything in the workplace that has potential to harm anyone at the workplace, for example: moving parts in machinery, toxic chemicals, manual handling tasks.
   
• Assessing the risk from the hazard - finding out how significant the risk is, for example: will it cause a serious injury, illness or death and how likely is this to occur?
   
• Eliminating the hazard or if this is not possible, controlling the risk from the hazard - implementing strategies to eliminate or control the hazard, for example: design equipment differently, add machine guards, use safer chemicals, providing lifting devices to minimise manual handling or use personal protective equipment.
   
• Reviewing risk assessment – to monitor and improve control measures and find safer ways of doing things.
   

 Risk Management Guidelines

The University of Wollongong utilises the risk management approach in solving workplace OH&S issues. The Risk Management Guidelines provide information on the following:

• Legislative requirements
• Roles and responsibilities
• Steps in the risk management process
• Implementing risk management

Download the Risk Management Guidelines [pdf - 390kb]

 What is a Risk Assessment?

A risk assessment is a resource that enables a user to work through and document the risk management process in their working area.

Completing a risk assessment is the best way to document strategies on how a hazard is going to be managed. A risk assessment will incorporate the identification of the hazard, what the level of risk is and what can be done to improve the situation.

More information is available in the Risk Management Guidelines.

SafetyNet Risk Assessment Form [Online development and searching] Staff Only

Download the Risk Assessment Form [doc] [pdf] Students only (staff use for offline development only before transfer to SafetyNet)

Other forms of risk assessments include:

• Hazardous substances
• Materials handling
• Radiation
• Fieldwork
• Events serving alcohol

How Do I Complete the Risk Assessment Form?

Having trouble completing the risk assessment form? Our Risk Assessment - How To Guide will help you out.

What is a Risk Register?

A risk register is used to help minimise the risk of injury of identified hazards. The risk register acts as a register of all report hazards and incidents reported through the Safety Net reporting system and allows a user to see control measures for dealing with a specific risk.

View the Risk Register

 Resolving an OH&S hazard or issue

The following flowchart demonstrates the process for resolving OHS hazards or issues.

Download Resolving an OHS Hazard or Issue [pdf - 28kb]

 Need more information? Please refer to the WorkCover website for information on Risk Management.