Byrne Brothers (Formwork) Ltd

Dynamic Risk Assessment

Chris Ellis PGDip GradIOSH MIIRSMSenior OHSE Manager

What is a Dynamic Risk Assessment (DRA)?

Dynamic Risk Assessment

The process of assessing risk “on-the-fly”“in the field”“away-from-base”

for

Emergency SituationsChangeProblem solving

Traditional Risk Assessment

The process of assessing risk for

Planned events

Routine work

Normal Activities

It isn’t always possible to ensure risk assessment is carriedout in advance of facing a problem.

Risk Assessment Process

1. Identify the hazards 2. Decide who might be harmed and how 3. Evaluate the risks and decide on

precaution 4. Record your findings and implement them 5. Review your assessment and update if

necessary

Think before you act, not act before you think

Who is most likely to carry out a DRA?

Police officersFire BrigadeAmbulance ServiceSecurity ServicesHelicopter Emergency Medical ServicesAirport staff and/or security servicesConstruction management, engineers, operativesMilitaryAirline Pilots

Oil Rigs?Petrochem?Manufacturing?Shipping?

Competence

“Competence is the ability to undertake responsibilities and

to perform activities to a recognised standard on a regular

basis. Competence is a combination of practical andthinking skills, experience and knowledge.”

(Developing and Maintaining Staff Competence. HSE 2002)

Perception of Risk

Do we all think the same?

Perception of Risk

Perception of Risk

Perception of Risk

Perception of Risk

Perception of Risk

9th September 20017th July 2005

Did your perception change?

Perception of Risk

In the August preceding 9/11, the airline industry experienced what was then a record high in the number of airline passengers for a given month when 65.4 million travelers took to the air. After 9/11, that number trailed off dramatically, and it took nearly 3 years, until July 2004, for the industryto match and finally surpass the pre 9/11 levels. But the number of available seats—an industry measure of capacity— in July 2004 was just 98.3 % of its August 2001 peak. By July 2005, the number of airline passengers had reached 71 million.

(RITA - Research and Innovative Technology Administration - Bureau of Transportation Statisticshttp://www.bts.gov/publications/special_reports_and_issue_briefs/issue_briefs/number_13/html/entire.html)

Perception of Risk

Perception of Risk

How do we get people carryingout DRA’s to perceive risk the same?

Training

Terry Tate Video

Application of DRA’s

Application of DRA’s

Where did Dynamic Risk Assessment come from?

An unacceptable level of fire-fighter deaths occurred during the late

1980’s and early 1990’s.

HSE served a number of improvement notices on the fire service.

HSE recommendations highlighted the need for better risk assessment

in relation to the systems of command and tactical fire-fighting.

(Flin, 1996)

Where did Dynamic Risk Assessment come from?

The fire service refocused its challenge on managing fire-fighter risk

during fire fighting operations.

This led to a new concept of DRA being introduced in the early 1990’s

as a means to manage operational risk in dynamic situations.

It was argued that the fire service had carried out assessments for

many years (prior to DRA) without the reference to the concept of risk.

(Edmund Jacobs, 2005http://www.londonhealthandsafetygroup.org/downloads/050919-Dynamic-RA-exEdmundJacobs.ppt)

Fire Service Attitude to Safety

The philosophy used highlights the correct attitude towards safety:

“We may risk our lives a lot, in a highly calculated manner, to protect

saveable lives”.

“We may risk our lives a little, in a highly controlled manner, to protect

saveable property”.

“We will not risk our lives at all for lives or property that are already

lost”.

(HM Fire Inspectorate, 1998)

Benefits of DRA within the Fire Service

Reduction in fire-fighter deaths for many years.

Risk is managed well within the fire service.

It is believed that DRA has proved its value in promoting awareness of risk in dynamic

environments.

The link between risk and decision making also raises awareness of cognitive processes

of assessing risk in operational situations.

The model offers a basis for learning and a structure for debriefing of incidents and

exercises where there is now a common language of risk.

(HM Fire Inspectorate, 1998)

Benefits of DRA within the Fire Service

HSE satisfied with approach to safety

DRA integrated within risk management model

Levels of risk management model measurable against HSG65

Other occupations can benefit from the fire service experience and the

utilisation of the DRA model offers “a learning and a structure for the

Debriefing of incidents”

(HM Fire Inspectorate, 1998)

HSE View on DRA

It is recognised that the nature of policing necessitates police officers to

respond to the demands of unpredictable and rapidly changing

situations and reliance solely on systematic risk assessment and set

procedures is unrealistic. In order for the police service to effectively

manage operational risk appropriate training should be provided.

(HSE, 2005)

Wider adoption of DRA

Many other forces including the Police, Ambulance service (inc. Helicopter) and

the armed forces along with many businesses have adopted the principles of

Dynamic Risk Assessments within their culture.

Training is given to individuals on the perception of risk, more importantly

the control measures required to mitigate the risk and the affect of those

controls on persons and property.

The ability to “think on one’s feet” is crucial to effective implementation

Of DRA’s to protect individual lives.

The Shard

The Shard

Set to be the tallest building in Western Europe “The Shard”, designed by renowned architect Renzo Piano, is a 1,016ft / 310m mixed use high rise or more accurately a “vertical city”.

The building consists of 28 stories of office space, 12 floors of residential, 6 mid levels of public space and the Shangri-La has taken 18 stories for its flagship European hotel.

The tower will also have a naturally ventilated radiator at its tip and on the 72nd floor a public viewing gallery offering 360° views of London.

“The Shard” will be a sharp and light presence on the London skyline welcoming more than 8 thousand workers, residents and hotel guests a day and more than 2 million public visitors a year.

The Shard

Working up to the 74th floor provided some unique challenges:

Protection of people fallingProtection of materials fallingWeatherLifting materialsClimbing screen adaptation and removalEmergency Rescue

London 2012 Athletes Village

London 2012 Athletes Village

Video

London 2012 Athletes Village

During the GamesDuring the Games, the Athletes Village will comprise residential apartments for around

17,000athletes and officials, along with shops, restaurants, medical, media and leisure facilities

and largeareas of open space. During the Games, the Village will include ‘back of house’ operations, and services for

athletes such as catering and transport. The majority of these will be accommodated in temporary

structures on sitesthat can be cleared for development immediately after the Games.

After the GamesAfter the Games, the Athletes Village will be a lasting legacy of essential new housing for

east London.It will be transformed into 2,800 new homes, including 1,379 affordable homes.

The communities that develop in the area after the Games will be supported by new parks, open

space, transport links, and community facilities including Chobham Academy – a world-class new

education campus with 1,800 places for students aged 3-19.

London 2012 Athletes Village

Given the location of the offices in relation to the plots andInfrastructure, the need for individuals to carry out DRA’s if a

changeon-site happens is a must.

However that DRA must be recorded and reviewed by the supervisor

to ensure lessons learnt can be passed around the Village.

Regular reviews of the DRA must take place to ensure control measures are current and effective.

Summary

DRA has been widely adopted by forces and business.DRA gives greater flexibility for “in-the-field” decisions.Competence of the individual carrying out the assessment is

key.Perception of risk is different for everyone.Exceptional circumstances can alter your perception 9/11 7/7.Training must be given to assess unique events, such as riots

andterrorism.You must know what you have at your disposal for control

measures.Review Review Review!!!

Competence is key

Would you trust this man to carry out your DRA?

Pencil video

Dynamic Risk Assessment

Further Reading

Edmund Jacobs - An insight into the application of Dynamic Risk Assessmenthttp://www.londonhealthandsafetygroup.org/downloads/050919-Dynamic-RA-exEdmundJacobs.ppt

Metropolitan Police Freedom of information request – Dynamic Risk Assessmenthttp://www.met.police.uk/foi/pdfs/disclosure_2010/december/2010110000129.pdf

Contact Information

Chris EllisSenior OHSE ManagerByrne Bros (Formwork) Ltd38-42 Hampton RoadTeddingtonTW11 0JE

020 8614 336607715 061639

Chris.Ellis@byrne-bros.co.uk