What is a key concept in operational risk management (ORM) for safety management?

Identifying hazards is a crucial concept in operational risk management (ORM) for safety management because it lays the foundation for all subsequent safety measures. By systematically identifying potential hazards, organizations can better understand the risks they face and develop effective strategies to mitigate those risks. This proactive approach allows for the implementation of controls and procedures to prevent accidents and injuries before they occur.

In ORM, identifying hazards involves recognizing not only physical risks but also operational and environmental factors that could lead to harm. This step is vital to ensuring that all safety management practices are based on a clear understanding of what could go wrong. Once hazards are identified, organizations can prioritize them based on their potential impact and likelihood of occurrence, facilitating targeted and efficient risk management interventions.

Additionally, while documentation, inspection frequency, and assigning blame may have roles in the broader safety management process, they do not encompass the fundamental first step of ORM, which is to identify and understand the hazards that pose risks to safety. Without this foundational step, other safety management actions may be misguided or ineffective.