In August 2006, Bill Callaghan, Chair of the Health and Safety Commission launched the 'Sensible Risk Management Principles'.  As we head into a new financial year we though a brief reminder would help you with any forward planning you were about to make and to raise awareness that Health and Safety is not 'out to get you' but to provide a safe and healthy working environment to society at a whole.

It will bring benefits not only with regards to human factors but economic as well. Fewer days lost due to work related accidents and injuries and a happier, trained and motivated workforce will increase work activity and therefore show more positively on your account balance sheets.

Principles of sensible risk management

Sensible risk management IS about:

• Ensuring that workers and the public are properly protected
• Providing overall benefit to society by balancing benefits and   risks, with a focus on reducing real risks - both those which arise more often and those with serious consequences
• Enabling innovation and learning not stifling them
• Ensuring that those who create risks manage them responsibly and understand that failure to manage real risks responsibly is likely to lead to robust action
• Enabling individuals to understand that as well as the right to protection, they also have to exercise responsibility

Sensible risk management IS NOT about:

• Creating a totally risk free society
• Generating useless paperwork mountains
• Scaring people by exaggerating or publicising trivial risks
• Stopping important recreational and learning activities for individuals where the risks are managed
• Reducing protection of people from risks that cause real harm and suffering

Should you have any questions regarding your Business and its Risk Management, do not hestitate to 'Ask the Expert'.