Six effective ways that barrier management can improve your risk management program
Explore the benefits of incorporating barrier management into your risk management program for a resilient and secure operating environment
Barrier management is a proactive and systematic approach to risk management that includes implementing robust barrier management systems to withstand unexpected events and changes in the operating environment. A successful barrier management system could be compared to an organization's shield, as it provides a layer of protection against impact and promotes a resilient and secure operational environment.
Why should you consider introducing barrier management to your risk management program?
Here are six benefits of barrier management to consider:
- Prevents incidents: Barrier management focuses on identifying and implementing barriers to prevent incidents from occurring in the first place. By implementing effective barriers, organizations can mitigate potential risks and prevent accidents, injuries, and environmental harm.
- Allows early detection and response: Barrier management focuses on the importance of early detection and response to risks. By implementing robust monitoring and inspection programs, organizations can identify any potential weaknesses or breaches in barriers, allowing for timely corrective actions to be taken. This proactive approach helps to prevent incidents from escalating and causing more considerable damage.
- Enables a systematic risk assessment: Barrier management involves conducting a thorough risk assessment to identify and evaluate potential hazards and their associated risks. By systematically assessing risks and their potential consequences, organizations can prioritize their efforts and allocate resources effectively to address the most critical risks.
- Encourages continuous improvement: Barrier management is an ongoing process that encourages continuous improvement. It involves regularly reviewing and updating barriers based on new information, lessons learned, and changes in the operating environment. This iterative approach allows organizations to adapt and enhance their risk mitigation strategies over time, improving their overall risk aversion capabilities.
- Includes the integration of multiple barriers: Barrier management recognizes that a single barrier may not provide sufficient protection against a particular risk. Therefore, it emphasizes the integration of multiple barriers, such as engineering controls, administrative procedures, and personal protective equipment, to provide a layered defense against risks. This multi-barrier approach increases the effectiveness of risk aversion by reducing the likelihood of failures or breaches in any single barrier.
- Remain compliant and aligned with regulations: Barrier management helps organizations align with regulatory requirements and industry standards. By implementing effective barriers and demonstrating a proactive approach to risk management, organizations can meet compliance obligations and maintain a good standing with regulatory authorities.
The Barrier Management module in Synergi Life can help your organization effectively maintain control over possible risks. The inclusion of bowties to your risk management strategy provides a visual overview of your barrier integrity and their ability to support safety levels and prevent loss.
To learn more about how your organization can get started using barrier management, register for our webinar.
Author: Jennifer Hoffman Bjærke