How good are your risk management practices? Find out with this interactive self assessment.

This self-assessment should give you a general idea about how well your organization manages risk. Please read the disclaimer before proceeding. Please note that the word “accident” in this self-assessment refers to any undesired and unplanned event that results in harm, or that could have resulted in harm, to people, property or the environment. We are not suggesting that these events are not preventable by using this term.

When you have answered all the questions press calculate and the bottom and then scroll back to the bottom to see your score and evaluation.

When are new hazards identified?	Field=I1 0: By waiting for accidents and near misses 1: In a sudden effort after an accident 2: On a sporadic basis 3: On a regular basis
Who identifies new hazards?	Field=I2 0: Small groups within the same function 1: Outsiders with little internal input 2: Teams with more than one discipline 3: Multifunctional teams
What method is used to identify new hazards?	Field=I3 0: Observation of accidents and near misses 1: External audits or reports 2: Off-the-shelf method 3: Internal method based on other methods
What information is used to identify new hazards?	Field=I4 0: Accident reports 1: Accident reports + audit reports 2: +P&ID, MSDS, other internal documents 3: +Info from other firms, research
A list and description of hazards	Field=I5 0: Does not exist 1: Exists but is known only by technical staff 2: Exists and is known by department heads 3: Exists and is known by all relevant people
The risks of new products and processes	Field=I6 0: Are not formally evaluated 1: Are evaluated for obvious high risks 2: Are evaluated in most cases 3: Are always evaluated with a defined method
1 Hazard identification	Subtotal percent
How are the risks associated with the hazards prioritized?	Field=p1 0: By fiat (The boss says so) 1: By debate 2: With arbitrary criteria 3: With well defined criteria
When evaluating the likelihood of accidents do you consider:	Field=p2 0: Gut feel and intuition 1: +Maintenance and operating procedures 2: +Quality of performance monitoring systems 3: +Several other factors
When you evaluate the consequences of an accident do you consider	Field=p3 0: Gut feel and intuition 1: +Detection and reaction systems 2: +Data on toxicity, sensitivity, quantity, etc. 3: +Other stakeholder's values and concerns
2 Risk prioritisation	Subtotal percent
The causes of known potential accidents are	Field=S1 0: Generally unknown 1: Known by experienced personnel 2: Known by most personnel 3: Well defined, documented, and known
Key process variables that must be controlled to prevent accidents are	Field=S2 0: Generally unknown 1: Known by experienced personnel 2: Known by most personnel 3: Well defined and known all-around
Operating criteria that define “normal” operating conditions for key process variables are	Field=S2 0: Not generally known or defined 1: Inconsistently applied and defined 2: Defined but not generally respected 3: Systematically defined, well respected
Warning systems to warn of abnormal conditions thus giving time to prevent an accident are	Field=S3 0: Generally non-existent or ignored 1: Somewhat defined in a few instances 2: Fairly well defined and respected 3: Very well defined and respected
Operating procedures clearly define how to recover from abnormal conditions	Field=S4 0: Rarely 1: In a few instances 2: As a general rule 3: Always, or whenever applicable
Operating and maintenance procedures designed to prevent accidents are updated	Field=S5 0: Only after accidents 1: After accidents and audits 2: When weaknesses are pointed out 3: As part of an ongoing improvement process
Critical equipment that could cause an accident if not properly maintained or operated is	Field=S6 0: Not generally identified or defined 1: Maintained when near fatal breakdown 2: Maintained reasonably well 3: Subject to rigorous preventive maintenance
Job positions that could result in serious accidents are	Field=S7 0: Not identified or known 1: Known for catastrophic risks only 2: Known for most identified risks 3: Systematically identified and documented
Training for people in job positions that could result in serious accidents is	Field=S8 0: The same as all other training 1: The same, with extra verbal instruction 2: Defined and executed sporadically 3: Rigorously defined and executed
People in the plant or operations wear their personal protective equipment	Field=S9 0: Rarely, or when they feel like it 1: To avoid getting into trouble 2: Most of the time 3: Always, and they enforce the rules
Contractors and visitors are trained or indoctrinated in prevention practices	Field=S10 0: Rarely 1: In obvious high-risk situations 2: Usually, but not uniformly 3: Always
3 Prevention of accidents	Subtotal percent
Systems to detect the on-set of accidents such as spills and gas releases are	Field=D1 0: Rarely installed or working 1: Installed on a few critical situations 2: Generally installed and working 3: Operational for all known potential accidents
When people hear an alarm or detection device for an accident such as a spill or gas release they	Field=D2 0: Generally ignore it 1: Wait for somebody to tell them what to do 2: React when they are sure it is real 3: Take immediate and decisive action
Detection systems are	Field=D3 0: Rarely tested and maintained 1: Tested when people get around to it 2: Tested fairly regularly 3: Rigorously and systematically tested
4 Detection of accidents	Subtotal percent
“First response” reaction systems that enable personnel to respond immediately (e.g. spill kit, first aid kit)	Field=R1 0: Does not exist in most cases 1: Exists in a few cases 2: Generally exists 3: Exists where needed
The “first response” equipment and systems	Field=R2 0: Are inappropriate for the job 1: Are somewhat appropriate in some cases 2: Are usually appropriate in most cases 3: Are what is required to do the job
The “first response” equipment and systems are tested	Field=R3 0: Rarely 1: Only during accidents 2: Occasionally 3: Regularly with a defined method
The “first response” equipment and systems are maintained and updated	Field=R4 0: Rarely 1: Only after accidents 2: Occasionally 3: On a regular schedule with a defined method
People throughout the organization	Field=R5 0: Do not have any training on first response 1: Have had some sporadic training 2: Have occasional training and practices 3: Have regular training and practices
5 First response	Subtotal percent
Management emphasizes the importance of following safety and environmental protection practices	Field=M1 0: Only in the aftermath of an accident 1: Prior to an audit or important visit 2: Regularly but not uniformly 3: Through their actions on a daily basis
Supervisors monitor the application of environmental and safety protection practices	Field=M2 0: Only in the aftermath of an accident 1: Prior to an audit or important visit 2: Regularly but not uniformly 3: On a daily basis using defined methods
Managers view external audits	Field=M3 0: As a policing activity 1: As a necessary evil with some side benefits 2: As a useful management tool 3: As an essential management tool
The top managers of the facility formally review the systems and practices for preventing accidents	Field=M4 0: Only in the aftermath of an accident 1: Prior to or after an audit or important visit 2: Once a year or less 3: More than once a year
The work force believes that management	Field=M5 0: Could care less about preventing accidents 1: Cares because they are legally liable 2: Cares when it doesn't cost too much 3: Cares sincerely
Management believes that the workforce	Field=M6 0: Is responsible for causing accidents 1: Is not careful enough and needs training 2: Can play a role in preventing accidents 3: Is their partner in preventing accidents
6 Implementation	Subtotal percent
Overall score	Total percent

Interpreting your score:

?total<=27: You run a high-risk organization with poor risk management practices. If you have not had accidents recently, you probably will soon

?Total<=27 AND subtotal1 <9: You are at very high risk of an emergency or other mishap because you do not have an adequate method for identifying new hazards

?Total<=27 AND subtotal3 <8: Any emergencies you do have will probably quickly spin out of control because you do not have an adequate system of first response

?total>27 AND total<=51: You have a bureaucratic approach to risk management that is marginally effective

?total >27 AND subtotal1<9: You do not have an adequate method for identifying new hazards

?subtotal3<=10: You are not focusing enough on prevention.

?subtotal3>10 AND subtotal3<23: You still need to focus more on prevention.

?total>51 AND total <=75: You have a defined process for risk management but it may not focus on improvement

?Total>75: Your risk management approach will enable you to continually improve performance. Nothing, though, can guarantee that you won't have accidents, and your organization is aware of this

?total>75 AND subtotal7 <9: You appear to have done a good job on the technical aspects of risk management, but your senior executives must show more leadership

?subtotal1<9: You should develop and implement a better method of hazard identification (please contact us)

?subtotal5<8: You should develop better methods for reacting to emergencies when they first occur.

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