HILL AIR FORCE BASE, UT -- Operational Risk Management is the cornerstone of the Air Force's mishap prevention program and offers common sense tools to keep our people safe, both on and off the job.
ORM is a decision-making process that encourages individuals to evaluate possible courses of action to identify and assess potential risks. ORM is simple, and it begins with you.
Simply put, ORM is a way of looking at everything from the smallest tasks to major undertakings. It applies just as much to "operational" tasks as it does to things like carrying a box down a flight of stairs or mowing the lawn.
Risk assessment is nothing more than asking "If I do this, what can go wrong?" I would venture to say that most of us are very adept at using risk management techniques.
For instance, think about the last time you headed out on a long road trip and all the things you considered before leaving - your vehicle's condition, the route, where you planned to stop along the way, your fatigue level, and sharing your estimated arrival time with others. All are classic examples of risk management.
The two most essential elements of ORM are assessing risk and minimizing risk.
In recognizing how to minimize risks in daily activities, there are three options. First, you can avoid the activity that leads to risk. Second, you can reduce the probability of the occurrence, and lastly, you can mitigate the results if the risk is realized.
ORM doesn't tie our hands or prevent us from doing tasks that have risks. Let's face it, many of the things we do in both work and play can be risky. Instead of ignoring the potential hazards, ORM helps us survive them.
For more information, visit the Air Force Safety Centers ORM Web page at: http://afsafety.af.mil/orm/training.asp. The site maintains four downloadable training courses: ORM Fundamentals, Essentials for Leaders, Application and Interaction, and Executive Overview for Commanders.