Case-Based Approach to Risk Assessment and Management

From Formality to Awareness: Why a Case-Based Approach is Needed

Risk assessment is often perceived as a formal procedure limited by legal requirements and internal standards. However, traditional methods do not always account for all possible scenarios. Tatiana Borisova, a representative of Novartis, examines the problem of "blind spots" in risk assessment and proposes a solution: a case-based approach that helps embed a safety culture into the DNA of every employee.

The presentation details the mechanism of involving personnel in the hazard identification process. The main goal is to teach people to independently assess risks in any area, whether it is a production facility, a warehouse, or even the street, for which the employer is not responsible.

How the Case-Based Approach Works in Practice

The basis of the method is facilitation sessions and brainstorming with the participation of cross-functional teams. Using a warehouse inventory as an example, the speaker shows how involving employees from other departments (e.g., finance) helps identify non-obvious threats thanks to a "fresh" perspective.

• Situation Modeling: Participants are presented with a specific case (e.g., "you came for an inventory"), and they jointly determine what could go wrong. This builds an understanding that the company cares about every employee.
• Involving Contractors and Partners: Third-party employees and event managers are included in the risk assessment. This is especially important when organizing off-site events, where unpredictable factors often lead to injuries.
• Comprehensive Analysis: The assessment of a single risk (e.g., a warehouse fire) is considered from the perspective of HSE, financial losses, and environmental consequences. This allows for the development of effective damage minimization measures.

Gamified Formats and Visualization

Interactive methods are used to increase engagement. Facilitation boards, quests, and the creation of visual materials by the employees themselves turn a routine process into creative teamwork.

• Quests in Production and the Office: Employees receive hazard cards or look for specially placed "installations" (e.g., broken glass stickers). This trains the skill of noticing potential threats in everyday surroundings.
• Changing the Mindset: Program participants begin to think in terms of risks not only at work but also in their personal lives, for example, by checking emergency exits in hotels during vacations.

What You Will Learn from This Webinar:

• How to organize an effective brainstorming session to identify hidden risks?
• Why is it important to involve non-core department employees and contractors in risk assessment?
• How to use gamified formats (quests, facilitation boards) for staff training?
• How does a comprehensive approach help prevent environmental and financial disasters during accidents?
• How to teach field employees to assess risks in conditions not controlled by the employer?