How HR Leaders Can Implement Risk Management Training And Awareness

Navigating the jungle of HR can be a daunting responsibility. Especially when there are so many types of risks and potential liabilities to be aware of. 

• Physical risks: These relate to physical harm or injury to persons within the organization. It can encompass the potential for fires, flooding, noxious fumes, and exposure to harmful elements — both in and out of the control of the users in the work environment.
• Personnel risks: Personnel risks most often pertain to willful acts or negligence on the part of people in the workplace. They can range from accidental injuries to themselves, deliberate injury to others, embezzlement of company funds, consumption of illegal drugs or alcohol, theft, and even sickness brought into the workplace knowingly or unknowingly.
• Technology risks: These risks can vary with each company based on the density of technology used within the company. More and more organizations are adapting their processes to utilize technology, which can invite a whole host of problems if not secured properly. Emails and digital data can be compromised through hacking and phishing scams if the right cybersecurity measures and training aren’t put into place. Seemingly harmless things like power outages or Wi-Fi outages can stall productivity, costing large sums of money in wasted time. Knowing everything that possibly could go wrong with each technology aid is the first step in devising plans to react when something inevitably goes wrong. 
• Locational risks: Like physical risks, location risks focus on property damage, like flooding, fires, and wind damage prevalent in the area surrounding the physical location of the organization. Natural disasters, future zoning laws, restrictions, and purchasing patterns of neighboring establishments can negatively impact your organization. Make sure to stay up to date with local town or city laws and how they might affect your organization’s permissions to conduct the work where you’re located.

• Posting proper safety labels and signage at various points of interest in the building or buildings is a crucial measure in maintaining safety and hygiene for workers.
• Ensuring cleanliness protocols and clean workspaces will help prevent unnecessary tripping and injury.
• Having a fire marshal inspect the work environment can help pinpoint potential fire hazards and ensure that fire prevention signage and fixtures are up to date.