Risk management in aviation is a key component in safety management and it is a way to allow the taking measures to prevent negative events.
For any given risk as can identify some important considerations when evaluating the risk such as if there are any existing control measures in place. Many companies already have some risk controls in place, and it’s crucial to record these. They are part of the overall measures that mitigate risk. By factoring them into the risk assessment, the resultant risk may be reduced to acceptable levels by these measures.
While we can’t live in a world free of risk, we have a hierarchy of control measures to help reduce risk; the hierarchy of control measures include.
1 Elimination: Completely removing the hazard.
2 Substitution: Altering the operation, activity, or scenario to one with less or no risk.
3 Isolation: Separating the activity or scenario to isolate its risk.
4 Verification: Confirming that processes or procedures are functional and adhered to.
5 Administration: Developing or modifying procedures, training, or integrating warning signals.
6 Training: Enhancing awareness of risks and measures, especially for intricate tasks.
It’s worth noting that these measures are ranked based on risk elimination, not feasibility. Multiple layers of protection may be adopted simultaneously, and often, a combination of measures is more effective.
Assessing Control Measures: The acronym “ALARP” (As Low As Reasonably Practicable) is a principle used, suggesting that risk should be reduced as much as possible, considering practicality and feasibility. The measures chosen should be proportional to the risk, balanced against the effort, cost, and challenges of implementation.
The high level of process of risk assessment includes such steps as identifying activities, scenarios, or circumstances with potential risks. After this we then need to recognize the associated risks and evaluate the risks using a risk assessment matrix; the matrix allows a transparent and standard scoring system.
We then use the hierarchy of control measures to determine the next action and after this then you might allocate a timeframe for review.
For every business we need participation and as such promoting awareness and engaging the workforce and people in general is always a priority. Once risks are identified and assessed, stakeholders must be informed and this might be through company portals, acknowledgment systems, or promotional posters in workplaces. It’s crucial to control and verify the accuracy of this information to ensure it adheres to regulations.
Effective risk management in aviation requires proactive measures, a systematic approach, constant evaluation, and clear communication.
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