A conversation about rethinking risk management.

I caught up with Terry Brennan for a 'coffee and learn from each other' session last week, something we do about four times a year.? Below is a paraphrase of our conversation regarding Ringo's welcome to the New Year post. Ringo: Thank you, Terry, for your valuable input on our latest piece, "New Year, Safer Perspective: Rethinking Risk Management." Can you paraphrase what you said, please?

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Terry: Certainly, Gaz, what struck me was the critical role of engaging directly with people in discussions about risk to enhance the effectiveness of risk management.?Often, risk discussions are limited to toolbox talks or training sessions rather than at the frontline where the work happens. ? For instance, I recently conducted an audit on a construction site with a notable risk of workers being struck by passing vehicles.? A potential hazard emerged despite traffic control measures reducing speeds to 40km/h and the work vehicle being parked with its exit on the safer side of the lane.? A worker, attempting to retrieve tools from the vehicle's hatch on the passenger side, inadvertently stepped back right next to the path of oncoming traffic.? We immediately addressed the situation with the traffic controller and moved the worker to safety.? This incident prompted a discussion with the Traffic Controller, supervisor, and workers about the risk of accessing equipment from the work vehicle.? It offered a fresh perspective on a risk that might not have been obvious initially, considering the vehicle was parked at a seemingly safe distance from the road.? This experience led to a broader understanding among the traffic controller, supervisors, and workers on the importance of considering the work task and the surrounding environment and how to access areas around work vehicles safely.? It moved beyond a simple instruction to park the vehicle further from the road, providing a clear rationale for the safety measures.

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Garry: It's enlightening to hear from professionals actively applying these ideas in practical scenarios.?Your case study from a civil construction site audit exemplifies the critical need for engaging directly with workers on the frontline to ensure risk management is genuinely effective.? Could you share more on how this hands-on approach might revolutionise traditional risk management methods?

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Terry: Certainly, and thank you for acknowledging the significance of engagement at the ground level.? Traditional risk management follows a hierarchical approach centred around compliance and standard procedures.? Yet, as my situation demonstrates, real-life conditions can reveal risks that standard protocols may not predict.? Involving workers and supervisors directly in identifying risks, particularly within their daily environments, allows us to discover and mitigate otherwise unnoticed hazards.

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Garry: That's a very insightful observation, Terry.? The incident you described highlights the importance of creating a culture where every team member feels encouraged to contribute to safety conversations.? How do you believe technology, such as Ringo, could further support this type of proactive risk management?

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Terry: Technology is vital.? With platforms like Ringo, we can facilitate immediate information and feedback exchange across all organisational levels.? For instance, if a worker spots a risk similar to the one I mentioned, they can report it straight away, leading to swift action and adjustment of safety protocols.?Technologies that enable real-time communication and feedback ensure risk management is an ongoing, evolving process rather than a static, compliance-focused task.

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Garry: Exactly the dynamic approach to risk management we aim for at Ringo – utilising collective intelligence for adaptive responses.? Your shared example perfectly illustrates the necessity for tools that gather real-time insights and create an atmosphere where everyone is part of the safety equation.?Thank you for sharing your experience and underlining the role of technology in making risk management more reactive and efficient.

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Terry: It's my pleasure!? I'm convinced that by using technology and prioritising direct worker engagement, we'll witness significant progress in our approaches to managing and reducing risks.?It's about transforming safety into a shared responsibility, and I'm excited to see Ringo at the forefront of facilitating this change.? I'm eagerly anticipating how these methods will evolve and further enhance safety in the workplace.