The role of the RI&E in preventing industrial accidents: from paper to practice

‘Motivation’?

The RI&E is a legal requirement and describes the risks to safety, health and well-being in the workplace for an organisation. It is intended to provide insight into where things can go wrong, so that targeted measures can be taken. But hopefully, the legal requirement is not the only reason for drawing up this document. Unfortunately, many organisations see the RI&E as an administrative obligation. A document that has to be drawn up, checked and then disappears into a drawer. In that case, the RI&E completely misses its purpose. Because an RI&E that is not alive within the organisation does not contribute to the prevention of accidents.

From paper to practice: how?

The power of the RI&E lies in its translation into practice. That starts with involvement. Employees must be actively involved in drawing up and implementing the RI&E. After all, they know the workplace best and can provide valuable input on risks that are not immediately apparent to an external consultant. And don't forget to look at the incidents, accidents and dangerous situations that have occurred in the past and (hopefully) been recorded.

Continuous process

A good RI&E and associated Action Plan is not a one-off exercise, but a continuous process. If something changes in the organisation—such as new machinery, processes or personnel changes—the RI&E must be revised. Incidents and near misses also provide valuable information for refining the RI&E. It's a vicious circle: incidents provide input for the RI&E, and the RI&E in turn helps to prevent incidents.

Culture of safety

Finally, the RI&E is only one part of a broader safety culture. Managers play a crucial role in this. By setting a good example, being open to reports and making safety a topic of discussion, a culture is created in which employees feel responsible for their own safety and that of their colleagues.

Finally

The RI&E is a powerful tool for preventing accidents at work—provided it does not remain mere paperwork. By involving employees, drawing up a concrete plan of action and embedding safety in the corporate culture, the RI&E becomes a living document that truly contributes to a safe working environment. Because ultimately, prevention is better than cure.

Wilgh Advice

You can contact us for:

drawing up a Risk Inventory and Evaluation (RI&E), including an action plan and assessment by a core expert;
setting up and implementing occupational health and safety systems, such as ISO 45001;
conducting workplace surveys; conducting accident investigations.