Critical Control Management

When most businesses talk about risk, the focus almost always falls on prevention. “We’ve got it under control,” leaders say, pointing to their policies, procedures, or engineered barriers. But what happens when those preventive controls fail? That’s where mitigating controls step in. They are the reactive measures – the systems, processes, and resources you rely on when the unwanted event has already occurred. Unfortunately, they are often overlooked, underfunded, or complet

When people hear the term Critical Control Verification, they often assume it’s reserved for high-risk industries like mining or oil and gas. But here’s the truth: every business has critical controls and verifying them doesn’t have to be technical or time-consuming.

Supervision is often overlooked as a control, but make no mistake, if done properly it’s one of the most effective risk controls available to organisations across all industries. While it might not be a piece of equipment or a formal system, supervision is a dynamic, real-time control. One that can intervene, course-correct and support risk-based decision making at the exact moment it matters most.

When reviewing a risk register or investigating an incident, it’s common to find a long list of risk controls associated with a single hazard. But a long list of controls does not mean the hazard is being effectively managed. In fact, many of those listed controls may do very little to prevent harm.

We know that incidents occur when controls fail. That’s the relationship we work with in every investigation. So, if a critical control failure is picked up in a CCV — even if there’s no injury, no damage, and no catastrophic event — shouldn't we treat that just as seriously?

A Critical Control Performance Standard defines what “good” looks like for your most important controls. It outlines how the control should be implemented, who’s responsible, what training is needed, how to verify it, and what to do if it fails. Without it, even the best controls can quietly fall apart.

Mitigating controls are the unsung heroes in our risk management toolkit. They don’t stop an incident from occurring – instead, they reduce

What good is a control if the worker implementing it doesn’t understand it?

In risk management, we spend so much time discussing whether controls are effective under normal conditions. But what if they fail?

When people think about risk, they focus only on likelihood and consequence. But there's another critical factor that deserves attention: Ri

When we think about the Hierarchy of Control, administrative controls and personal protective equipment (PPE) are often considered weak

Risk Bowtie Analysis is a powerful visual risk assessment tool that helps organisations identify, understand, and control workplace risks.

One of the most effective strategies for managing risk is the appointment of dedicated Risk and Control Owners. But what does this involve, and is it the right approach for your organisation?

As we approach 2025, the safety and risk landscape continue to evolve rapidly, presenting businesses with both significant challenges

Working in confined spaces is one of the most hazardous activities across various industries. Confined spaces, such as tanks

Working at heights is one of the most critical risks faced across many industries. Whether it involves accessing rooftops, using EWPs

Mobile equipment interactions are among the most critical risks in industries such as transport, freight, mining, and construction.

In high-risk industries, the importance of an effective Critical Control Management (CCM) program cannot be overstated.

In recent years, many organisations have added “risk” to the titles and responsibilities of traditional safety roles

Conducting an effective risk assessment requires more than just gathering people in a room to fill out a spreadsheet.