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Critical Risk Control

Fundamental Knowledge and Case Studies

  • 1st Edition - April 1, 2027
  • Latest edition
  • Authors: Maureen Hassall, James Joy, Roberta Selleck
  • Language: English

Critical Risk Control: Fundamental Knowledge and Case Studies presents an essential approach to managing high-stakes risks in industrial operations, aiming to prevent catast… Read more

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Description

Critical Risk Control: Fundamental Knowledge and Case Studies presents an essential approach to managing high-stakes risks in industrial operations, aiming to prevent catastrophic health, safety, environmental, and business outcomes. The book offers a comprehensive update on the critical control management (CCM) framework, building on the ICMM’s guidelines from 2015. It explores the history, fundamental principles, and current frameworks for identifying, monitoring, and maintaining effective risk controls. Rich with case studies—from vehicle crashes and dust exceedance to underground fires and work at height—it provides practical insights into applying CCM across various scenarios. The book also discusses leveraging CCM to develop key risk indicators, forecast vulnerabilities, and enhance overall risk management performance. Covering topics such as risk assessment, treatment options, transient operation control, and integration with business systems, the book is a vital resource for professionals and researchers dedicated to safety, risk management, and operational excellence.

Whether you work in mining, manufacturing, safety regulation, or academic research, this book equips you with the latest strategies and tools to advance your understanding and application of critical risk control methods, ultimately helping to prevent accidents and promote sustainable operations.

Key features

  • Covers the history and fundamentals of critical control management
  • Explains current frameworks for identifying, specifying, monitoring and maintaining the risk controls needed to manage material unwanted events in both stable and transient operations
  • Presents case study examples of how critical control management could be applied to specific risks
  • Discusses options for leveraging the critical risk control approach to produce evidence based key risk indicators that illustrate the risk profile, risk management performance and using weak signals to forecast areas of vulnerability

Readership

Professionals in operations, management and risk specialists in mining, construction, oil and gas, processing and other high-hazard industries

Table of contents

1. Introduction

1.1 Motivation for book including providing examples of major hazard events

1.2 Introduce framework using ISO31000 and ICMM CRM approach

1.3 Outline of the book


2. A brief history of risk management

2.1 Derivation of risk-based safety management

2.2 Details of how seminal events shaped current legislative and industry guidance materials

2.3 The journey of critical control management


3. Critical risk assessment process

3.1 Overview of process and risk assessment techniques

3.2 Tricks and traps for critical risk identification

3.3 Suggested approach and output

3.4 Case study example – tank farm


4. Critical risk treatment options

4.1 Overview

4.2 Inherently safer design (ISD)

4.3 Defense in depth control frameworks (DID)

4.4 Case study example – Hazelwood mine fire

4.5 Case study example - Arkema

4.6 Critical risk control management


5. Critical Risk Control Management

5.1 Defining material unwanted events

5.2 Determining risk treatment for MUE using ISD and bowtie analysis

5.3 Selecting critical controls

5.4 Defining performance requirements and management system requirements for critical controls

5.5 Implementing, monitoring and reporting on critical controls

5.6 Continuous improvement of control of critical risks


6. Case study - Control of vehicle crash risks

6.1 Example scope

6.2 ISD options

6.3 Example bowtie

6.4 Evidence-base example for selecting critical controls

6.5 Example control specification information

6.6 Implementation considerations


7. Case study - Control of dust exceedance risk

7.1 Example scope

7.2 ISD options

7.3 Example bowtie

7.4 Evidence-base example for selecting critical controls

7.5 Example control specification information

7.6 Implementation considerations


8. Case study - Control of work related psychosocial risks

8.1 Example scope

8.2 ISD options

8.3 Example bowtie

8.4 Evidence-base example for selecting critical controls

8.5 Example control specification information

8.6 Implementation considerations


9. Case study - Control of surface mine fall of ground risks

9.1 Example scope

9.2 ISD options

9.3 Example bowtie

9.4 Evidence-base example for selecting critical controls

9.5 Example control specification information

9.6 Implementation considerations


10. Case study - Control of loss of containment from bulk storage tank risks

10.1 Example scope

10.2 ISD options

10.3 Example bowtie

10.4 Evidence-base example for selecting critical controls

10.5 Example control specification information

10.6 Implementation considerations


11. Case study - Control of underground mine fires

11.1 Example scope

11.2 ISD options

11.3 Example bowtie

11.4 Evidence-base example for selecting critical controls

11.5 Example control specification information

11.6 Implementation considerations


12. Case study - Control of loss of containment from ammonia/hydrogen circuit risk

12.1 Example scope

12.2 ISD options

12.3 Example bowtie

12.4 Evidence-base example for selecting critical controls

12.5 Example control specification information

12.6 Implementation considerations


13. Case study - Control of work at height risk

13.1 Example scope

13.2 ISD options

13.3 Example bowtie

13.4 Evidence-base example for selecting critical controls

13.5 Example control specification information

13.6 Implementation considerations


14. Case study - Control of work in/near energised plant risks

14.1 Example scope

14.2 ISD options

14.3 Example bowtie

14.4 Evidence-base example for selecting critical controls

14.5 Example control specification information

14.6 Implementation considerations


15. Critical Risk Control of transient operations

15.1 Description of transient operations

15.2 Major accident prevention (MAP) in transient operations

15.3 Case study example from construction industry


16. Core elements for successful critical risk management

16.1 Lessons learned

16.2 Core elements for success

16.3 Introduction to the maturity model

16.4 Details about the maturity model

16.5 Using the maturity model to advance


17. Integrating critical control management with key business systems

17.1 Integrating with other risk management activities

17.2 Linking to incident investigations

17.3 Measuring progress and effectiveness with critical risk indicators

17.4 Connections with other key operational activities


18. Future considerations

18.1 Overview

18.2 Energy transitions considerations

18.3 Operational transitions

18.4 Increasing adoption of automation and AI technologies

18.5 Changing society expectations

18.6 Closing comments

Product details

  • Edition: 1
  • Latest edition
  • Published: April 1, 2027
  • Language: English

About the authors

MH

Maureen Hassall

Maureen Hassall is an Associate Professor at the University of Queensland and director of UQ R!SK, a leading-edge, multidisciplinary initiative that crosses the fields of industrial risk and human factors. Maureen works collaboratively with a broad range of safety critical industries to develop better human-centred risk management approaches that improve companies’ operational performance and competitiveness. Her industry-focused research is motivated by almost twenty years of industry experience working in a number of different countries and in a variety of roles including specialist engineering, line management, organisational change and business performance improvement roles. Maureen also develops and delivers risk management and human factors training, education and advice to undergraduate and postgraduate students and well as directly to industry. In addition she supervises Masters and PhD candidates undertaking industry focused human factors and operational risk related research.

Affiliations and expertise
Associate Professor, University of Queensland, Australia

JJ

James Joy

James (Jim) Joy has over thirty years of expertise in operational risk management, notably as the first Professor and Director of MISHC at The University of Queensland (1998–2011). His research focuses on risk assessment, human error, and governance in mining. He has developed international risk management education programs for major mining companies and facilitated projects with equipment manufacturers like Caterpillar and Sandvik. Jim has advised firms such as BHP Billiton and Xstrata and held the Anglo-American Chair of Safety Risk Management. His accolades include awards from AusIMM, IChemE, and induction into the International Mining Technology Hall of Fame.

Affiliations and expertise
Retired Professor, Minerals Industry Safety and Health Centre (MISHC), University of Queensland, Australia

RS

Roberta Selleck

Dr. Roberta (Bobbie) Selleck is an experienced Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) professional, serving as Unit Coordinator, lecturer, and researcher at the School of Medical and Health Sciences. She teaches courses on safety management, systems safety, and leadership. With a PhD focused on fatality prevention in construction, she holds multiple degrees including a Bachelor of Science and Diplomas in Education and Environmental Science. Boasting over 30 years of industry experience across Australia and internationally, she is a member of AIHS and the Chamber of Minerals and Energy. Awarded the 2015 IFAP Innovation Award, her research areas include safety leadership, psychosocial wellbeing, risk management, and developing future leaders.

Affiliations and expertise
Lecturer, School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Australia