Creating transformational change through innovation in risk management

Dr John F. Culvenor

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Abstract:

Usually risk management aims to prevent bad things from happening – accidents, diseases, etc.  The drivers are often that if the bad things happen, other bad things follow – namely costs, legal problems and moral pain.  This is sensible – but limiting.  These motivations are not enough to drive excellence.  If they were taken away, what motivation would be left?  A risk management approach concludes with application of a creative problem solving model.  The “hierarchy of control” begins with “eliminate” the hazard and includes other thought provoking creative prompts aimed at encouraging a re-examination of how processes are performed.  The direct aim is the improvement of safety.  The first priority - “eliminate” the hazard – targets this very issue.  Hazards can rarely be eliminated though without some thought given to process transformation.  If this is achieved then it is not only safety that can benefit but the process outcomes in general.  Application of this creative thinking process strikes some practical hurdles.  One of which is victim-blaming.  Why bother with process innovation if victims are to blame for their problems and should simply be more careful?  Another hurdle is that those who face danger in the workplace are often individual employees, small workgroups or small businesses.  They are small cogs in large processes; their sphere of influence is limited.  Health care and construction are used as examples to emphasize the value of safety in driving process innovation and the need for leadership and action by those involved in each industry that have a broader sphere of influence such as governments, clients, designers, planners, etc.

 

Full Reference

Culvenor, J. 2006, Keynote Address: ‘Creating transformational change through innovation in risk management’, at Risk Management Research and Practice: An Educational Perspective, Welsh Risk Pool and University of Wales, Bangor, Trearddur Bay Hotel and Conference Centre, Holyhead, Anglesey, UK - March 30th & 31st 2006

 

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