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What is a Critical Control Performance Standard?
- 7 days ago
- 3 min read
When it comes to managing risk in your workplace, identifying the right controls is only half the battle. The real challenge is making sure they work — consistently, reliably, and without fail.
That’s where a Critical Control Performance Standard comes in.
A quick refresher: what is a critical control?
A critical control is something that must work — every time — to prevent a fatality, serious injury, or catastrophic event. These controls are often related to high-consequence hazards like electrical energy, working at heights, confined spaces, or mobile equipment.
They’re not just helpful — they’re vital.
But here’s the thing: even the best critical control is useless if no one knows what “good” looks like. That’s where performance standards step in.
So, what is a Critical Control Performance Standard?
A Critical Control Performance Standard is a clear and practical set of rules that describe how a critical control must be:
Implemented
Maintained
Verified
It takes the guesswork out of safety and ensures everyone is on the same page — from frontline workers to board members.
Think of it as the user manual for a life-saving control.
Let’s use a simple example:
You’ve identified that working near overhead powerlines is a critical risk on your site. One of your critical controls is: “Maintain safe approach distances.”
But without a performance standard, that control is vague. What does “safe” mean? What is the distance? What are they checking for?
Your performance standard might include:
Minimum approach distances must align with the relevant electrical code or network operator guidelines
A documented risk assessment must be completed before work begins
Work zones must be physically marked with exclusion barriers and signage
All personnel working within 10 metres of overhead powerlines must be briefed on the risk
A trained electrical spotter must be present at all times during high-risk work
The exclusion zone must be verified daily during pre-start inspections and signed off by a supervisor
Any breach or near miss must be reported and reviewed before work resumes
Now, instead of relying on interpretation, you’ve got a clear standard that everyone can follow and verify.
What should be included in a Critical Control Performance Standard?
A strong Critical Control Performance Standard takes the guesswork out of implementation. It provides a clear blueprint for what must happen, who’s responsible, how it's checked, and what to do if things go wrong.
Here’s what you should include:
Control title – Clear and descriptive so there’s no confusion
Purpose – Why this control is critical, and what it’s protecting people from
Scope – Where and when this control must be applied
Performance requirements – What needs to happen in plain, easy-to-follow language
Failure modes – How the control can deteriorate, fail, or become less effective over time
Accountabilities – Who’s responsible for implementation, monitoring, and verification
Training and competencies – What skills, licences or knowledge are required to install, monitor, maintain, and verify the control
Verification methods – How to check that the control is working as intended (and how often)
Corrective actions – What to do if the control isn’t working or can’t be verified
This level of detail helps organisations move away from paper-based compliance and towards controls that are truly understood, embedded, and working on the ground.
Why does it matter?
Because without a performance standard, even your most important controls can be misunderstood, misapplied, or quietly fail in the background — without anyone realising until it’s too late.
We see it all the time — organisations believe their critical controls are in place and working, but when an incident occurs, it becomes clear those controls weren’t functioning as intended. Often, they’ve deteriorated, been applied incorrectly, or lacked the right level of competency behind them.
With a performance standard in place, there’s no ambiguity.
Everyone knows:
What “good” looks like
How the control can fail
What skills and training are required to implement and verify it
And how to check that it’s working — consistently and reliably
It turns a vague expectation into a clearly defined system.
Before you assume your critical controls are working as they should…
Ask yourself:
Have you clearly defined what “good” looks like for each control?
Have you identified how each control could fail or become less effective?
Do your people have the right training and competencies to manage that control?
Are you verifying them effectively, or just ticking a box?
If you’re unsure — that’s your sign.
Need help developing Critical Control Performance Standards?
Have you ever wished there was an easier way to get this done properly?
Let me take the pressure off. I offer:
Done-for-you Critical Control Packages with performance standards and verification tools
Tailored audits to test and strengthen your existing critical control framework
Training workshops to upskill your team in critical risk thinking and control implementation
Book a discovery call today — before another control is misunderstood or missed when it matters most.
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