"Managing Risks the "R2P2" Way: Tackling Unacceptable, Acceptable and Tolerable Risks!"

“Reducing Risks, Protecting People (R2P2)” from HSE UK is a comprehensive document that helps in managing risks by ensuring that unacceptable risks are eliminated, tolerable risks are managed and acceptable risks are maintained.

Unacceptable Risks: How to eliminate??????

In the scene of safety, we have to take stringent measures to eliminate Unacceptable Risks by converting them into “Tolerable or Acceptable” risks by implementing a range of risk management strategies such as risk avoidance, risk reduction, risk sharing, risk transfer etc.

The "R2P2" guidance document requires us to completely eradicate the unacceptable risks and there is no compromise when it comes to the safety of individuals, the community and the environment.

Tolerable Risks: Making use of the ALARP level

Any activity in life carries an inherent risk with it. The "R2P2" guidance document acknowledges this reality, offering a framework for managing tolerable risks. R2P2 emphasises the requirement of harmony between progress and safety where the risks shall be reduced to "As Low As Reasonably Practicable", ALARP by either reducing the "Likelihood of a hazardous event or reducing the Consequence of a risk or reducing both" by implementing the above-mentioned risk management strategies where the "Risk Reduction" seems to be well fit where the hierarchy of controls shall be selected as per the "Cost Benefit Analysis"(CBA) - "Exception in legal requirements where there is no CBA but mandatory compliance of requirements are required."

If we research further, all legislations are recommending us to reduce the risk to the ALARP level and not eliminate all considering the practicability. For example, ILO's Occupational Safety and Health Convention C155 - Article 16 on employer responsibilities states not to eliminate all but to reduce to "So Far As Is Reasonably Practicable" that is to reduce to ALARP level.

Similar approach is clearly visible in "Indian Factories Act, 1948 as well as in UK's "Health and Safety at Work act, 1974."

This thoughtful approach of "Tolerable risks" illustrates that striving for exceptional outcomes doesn't have to conflict with prioritizing safety. Instead, these two objectives can coexist seamlessly, forming a mutually beneficial partnership.

Acceptable Risks: "The Green Zone": Accept it and move on

The R2P2 guidance document highlights that we don't have to eliminate all risks; some risks (less likely and less severe), when carefully handled, can actually drive positive changes. Organizations are advised to see these acceptable risks as opportunities for growth, encouraging fresh ideas and a culture of always getting better. By accepting these well-considered risks, the road to achieving remarkable accomplishments becomes more evident, motivating organizations to push past their boundaries.

The HSE UK's R2P2 guide is all about this positive change. By doing what it says – removing bad risks, handling okay risks, and embracing good risks – we can make a world where safety is really important for moving forward.