Hazard identification and risk assessment

A fundamental requirement of any HS&E and PSMS is the identification and assessment of risk.

• 6.1A structured process is applied to identify the hazards and ensure that the risks arising from the organisation's assets and operations are systematically assessed.
• 6.2Risk control measures are identified and implemented, using the hierarchy of control, to manage the identified risks to a tolerable level.
• 6.3The tolerable level of risk is defined for all risks (to human health & safety, environmental impact, asset and financial loss), and is consistently understood and applied throughout the organisation.
• 6.4Risk assessments are conducted for: ongoing operations; hazardous materials; new projects; products and services; and all changes.
• 6.5Risk assessments consider risk to: health and safety of workers, contractors and members of the public; occupied buildings; environment (the impacts of hazardous releases and from mitigatory actions); reputation; asset integrity; business interruption; physical and cyber security; and third-party assets.
• 6.6Risk assessments consider human and organisational factors, particularly as contributory factors in major accident scenarios.
• 6.7Risk assessments consider the threats of natural hazards, including extreme weather events and the effects of climate change.
• 6.8Risk assessments are carried out by competent personnel with appropriate independence.
• 6.9Risk assessments take into account learnings from incidents from both inside and outside the organisation.
• 6.10Completed risk assessments are reviewed, approved and accepted by specific levels of management appropriate to the magnitude of the risk, and any decisions are clearly documented.
• 6.11All stakeholders are kept informed about the risk assessment process and results.
• 6.12The status of risk control measures is reviewed at regular intervals by specified levels of management to ensure risk assessment recommendations are resolved in a timely manner.
• 6.13The implementation of mitigation recommendations for the top HS&E and process safety risks is reviewed regularly by specified levels of management.
• 6.14Risk assessments are updated as changes occur and reviewed and updated at a defined appropriate frequency.
• 6.15Arrangements for hazard identification and risk assessment are understood and followed; understanding of arrangements, and compliance with them, are regularly tested.
• 6.16Compliance and performance trends are reviewed by specified levels of management.