Critical Risks Deserve Critical Thinking
When we talk about critical risks in the workplace, we’re not talking about paper cuts or sprained ankles – we’re talking about the kinds of risks that, if they go unmanaged, could cause serious injury or death.
These aren’t theoretical risks; they are the high-consequence events that demand attention, discipline, and controls that actually work – not just ones that look good on a risk register.
Despite knowing this, many businesses still approach critical risk management (CRM) as a box-ticking exercise. This often leads to control measures that look good on paper but don’t actually hold up in the field.
It’s time to change that.
So what is the definition of a Critical Risk?
“A critical risk is any task or situation that, if not properly controlled, could result in serious harm or death”.
Examples could include:
- Working at height
- Vehicle or mobile plant interactions
- Electrical work
- Confined space entry
- Lifting operations
- Exposure to hazardous energy
- Moving machinery
- Fatigue in high-risk environments
Identifying these isn’t about listing everything that might go wrong; it’s about focusing on the few things that, if they do go wrong, have the highest consequences.
Control Measures: More Than Just a Checklist
Control measures are often treated as documents to be completed rather than safeguards to be relied on. In reality, they could be the only things standing between a worker and a potentially catastrophic event.
A meaningful control measure should:
- Directly address the specific risk
- Be known and understood by the people doing the work
- Be practical and consistently applied
- Be maintained and monitored over time
- Have a clear owner; someone accountable for its effectiveness and use
These controls need to be verified in the real world. Not assumed, not guessed at but truly verified.
Bridging the Gap Between Policy and Practice
In many businesses, there’s a disconnect between documented system (work as imagined) and how work actually gets done. People often take shortcuts under pressure; equipment isn’t maintained as there isn’t time or budget; PPE is available but training is not provided in how to use it correctly.
These aren’t signs of people or the system failing, they are signs that the system was never designed to work in real-world conditions. A control that only functions when everything goes perfectly isn’t then a control measure, it’s a liability. A strong safety system creates the conditions for people to make safe decisions because the process supports them; not because they’re being constantly policed.
As a business owner / manager / director you need to ask yourself:
- Do we have a clear list of our top critical risks?
- Are our controls embedded into daily work, or are they just words in a document?
- Are they being verified regularly, not just during audits?
- Is there a single person responsible for each control, with the authority to modify and maintain it?
- Do we have visibility into when a control isn’t working or when conditions change?
If the answer to any of these is unclear, there is an opportunity to strengthen your system.
Final Thought
Compliance in a workplace is really important but it’s only the starting point. Effective critical risk management isn’t just about paperwork, it is about protecting people from the things most likely to cause serious harm.
If your business can get that right, you’re not just meeting your legal obligations you’re building a culture where safety is real, not just reported.
For more information on how Engage can help you manage your critical risks, contact us today.