6-1. Analysis of the Background of a Major Industrial Accident: Why Did Risk Assessment Fail?

When a serious accident occurs despite a company having conducted a risk assessment, it presents a major challenge to the safety management system. Analyzing why the assessment failed is essential to preventing future incidents. This article explores the common reasons why risk assessments don't work and suggests ways to improve them.

1. The Perils of Formality

Many companies conduct risk assessments merely as a formality, without the process reflecting the reality of the workplace. This approach often focuses on ticking boxes and fails to account for actual work procedures or new risks that may have emerged, allowing potential hazards to go unnoticed.

2. Underestimating Risks

One of the main reasons for an accident is underestimating a risk's severity or probability. This often happens when managers assume a task is safe because no accident has occurred in the past, or when they subjectively judge the danger to be low. This can lead to high-risk tasks being left unaddressed.

3. A Gap Between On-Site and Management Teams

Risk assessments are often led by management, but they can become ineffective plans on paper if the voices of on-site workers aren't heard. When near-misses and other concerns from on-site employees are ignored, potential risks can escalate into a serious accident.

4. Lack of Continuous Improvement

A risk assessment isn't a one-time activity; it requires regular review and continuous improvement. When there is no system for review or when past incidents aren't used for learning, outdated procedures and inadequate measures can be left in place.

5. Insufficient Management Involvement

In some serious accidents, a lack of involvement from senior management is a contributing factor. When safety investments are postponed and effective measures aren't implemented, risks can accumulate.

Conclusion

The failure of a risk assessment is often caused by a combination of factors, including formality, underestimation of risks, a disconnect between the on-site and management teams, a lack of continuous improvement, and insufficient involvement from management. To improve, it's crucial to implement participatory risk assessments with on-site workers, use data-driven analysis and AI for predictions, and foster a safety culture led by senior management.