Mon 28 Oct 2024 11:19AM
Risks v's Incidents definition
We are currently reviewing the definitions of Risk and Incidents to inform our internal Risk/Incident Management Policies and systems/processes. It would be great to have your feedback about these definitions. We would like you to provide a working definition of a Risk and Incident (and if possible an example).
Friendly reminder, we have the Risk Register and Incidents Register to record all risks/incidents. These are reviewed on a monthly basis at the Risk Jedi.
Please feel free to ask any clarifying questions.
Cherish Page-Brooks · Sat 18 Jan 2025 11:00AM
Oooh... I wasn't certain where you wanted the feedback. Here are some explanations by my understanding and from blogs, resources and some training :)
“An incident is a risk that has materialised”.
Risks are more focused on what might happen in the future and what the potential impact could be.
Risk management/assessment and treatment is about evaluating what potential events (threats or opportunities) would have the most effect on us and how likely they are to happen. This evaluation is used to prioritise the urgency with which they need to be addressed and how they can be treated.
Risk management helps you respond to change and improve your business. Eliminating and controlling risks in your workplace can:
prevent workplace injuries and illnesses
improve the health, wellbeing, and capacity of your workers
improve quality and productivity of work.
Issue can be viewed as an ongoing problem during an event, while an incident is a defined event.
Hazards are things and situations that could harm a person. Hazards are anything that can cause harm i.e. (relevant to Jeder, listed on the Work Safe Australia website) bullying, bushfire smoke in the workplace, dermatitis, drugs and alcohol, fatigue, lifting pushing and pulling (Manual tasks), psychosocial hazards, racism, remote and isolated work, sexual and gender-based harassment, sitting and standing, working outside, violence and aggression.
Incidents and complaints are typically about something that has happened or is currently happening.
Incident reporting provides real-time data on emerging threats and vulnerabilities allowing us to detect and prevent future incidents.
Benefits of identifying Incidents - when the dots are connected and incidents and risks are linked;
Incidents help to identify previously unknown risks.
Incidents (in)validate the likelihood of a risk.
Incidents (in)validate the severity of a risk.
Incidents help to evaluate the effectiveness of controls.
Resources;
Resolver - Understanding the Difference Between an Incident, a Complaint, and a Risk Event
Camms - Incident vs. Risk: Which Comes First in Risk Management?
Startles - Issues management vs. Risk management – What’s the difference and why does it matter?
Walters Kluwer - Why You Need to Link Incidents and Risks
Indeed - Risk vs. Issue: What Is the Difference?
Safe Work Australia - Identify, assess and control hazards
Training;
Australian Training Solutions (ATS) - Risk Assessment Training Online (Online - 60mins - $49)
The Risk Management Institute of Australasia (RMIA) - Tailored In-house Professional Development Training
ICAM Australia - In-House training available or public training e.g. Investigating psychosocial events using ICAM (Online - $880)
Australian Government: Comcare - Choose from a range of Comcare education and training on topics related to the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 and the Safety Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988. (Mix of paid and free trainings)
Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience - The NERAG Online training course is designed to build understanding and confidence in the emergency risk management process using the National Emergency Risk Assessment Guidelines (NERAG). (FREE)
Safework NSW Government - Online Safety Training webinars