Process Map

Related Items

• Risk management
• HWH Disaster Management Plan
• Risk Assessment Matrix, see below
• Identify, Assess and Control Hazards
• Managing Risk for Real a COVID example. Also, see Risk Analysis Infectious Diseases in Talent LMS training course 2.2 Governance and Operational Management.

Process - Step by Step

• The process of managing risks in the service involves identifying risks, assessing those risks and treating them.
• Managing risks in the service involves four steps:
  • Identifying risks—find out what could harm the service
  • Assessing risks: Understand the nature of the impact that the risk could cause, how serious the harm could be, and the likelihood of it happening.
  • Controlling risks—implement the most effective control measure reasonably practicable.
  • Reviewing control measures—ensure control measures are working as planned.
• When dealing with WHS risk management, key management personnel should consult with workers during all process steps to eliminate or control WHS risks.

• Identify risks to the service by looking at events, situations or things that could negatively affect the service or cause harm to people. This includes:
  • strategic risks
  • compliance risks
  • human resources risks
  • events risks
  • WHS risks that arise from:
    • Physical work environment
    • Equipment, materials and substances used 
    • Work tasks and how they are performed 
    • Work design and management 
  • fraud risks
  • financial risks
• Everyday tasks with WHS risks to workers supporting clients include:
  • moving and supporting clients, e.g. from a lying position to sitting or supporting movements or tasks
  • supporting clients with personal hygiene care, e.g. bathing and toileting
  • assisting clients in wheelchairs, e.g. pushing wheelchairs over soft or uneven surfaces
  • lifting wheelchairs in and out of vehicles
  • occupational violence, e.g. aggression, abuse and threats from participants, their families or other household members
  • moving and lifting heavy objects such as furniture
  • duties such as cooking, cleaning, shopping, laundry or transporting clients.

• Assessing risks is considering what could happen if the event or situation occurred and the likelihood of it happening. A service risk assessment helps to determine:
  • How severe a "risk" is
  • Whether any existing control measures are effective
  • What action to take to best control the risk
  • How urgently does the action need to be taken?
• A service risk assessment should be done when:
  • There is uncertainty about how a particular risk may affect the service
  • A work activity involves several different risks, and there is a lack of understanding about how risks may interact with each other to produce new or greater risks
  • changes in the workplace which may impact the effectiveness of control measures.

• After risks are known, controls need to be put in place. The best control measure involves eliminating the risk—that is, removing the risk altogether. If that is not possible, the risk must be minimised as far as reasonably practicable.
• For example, moving or lifting a participant is a common risk a worker may experience. Using a hoist eliminates or significantly reduces this risk.
• Deciding what is reasonably practicable to protect the service or people requires taking into account and weighing up all relevant matters, including:
  • the likelihood of the risk occurring
  • the degree of harm that might result from the risk
  • knowledge about the risk
  • ways of eliminating or minimising the risk
  • the availability and suitability of ways to eliminate or minimise the risk.
• Only after assessing the extent of a "risk" and available ways of eliminating or minimising it are associated costs considered, such as whether the costs are grossly disproportionate to the risk.
  • The level of risk can be visually assessed and communicated using the following HWH Risk Assessment Matrix

    

  • We also use the following more finely-grained matrix for Incidents and Hazards.

    

• It is also important to continue reporting hazards, injuries, or near misses so key management personnel can analyse risks, review incidents, and implement prevention strategies for workplace risk management. 
• A qualified WHS advisor should be engaged to help implement WHS improvements if required.

• Regularly monitor and review management plans and control measures for risks in the service to ensure their ongoing adequacy. 
• Where relevant, discuss management plans with the insurer to check insurance coverage.