Critical Risk

Critical risks are those with the potential to result in fatality, serious injury, or life-altering harm if not effectively managed. Within the electricity generation sector, these risks are inherent in activities involving high energy sources, complex plant, and dynamic operating environments.

Managing critical risks requires a clear understanding of major hazards and a strong focus on the controls that prevent events from occurring or mitigate their consequences. A consistent, industry-aligned approach supports better outcomes for workers, contractors, and the public.

HSWA Amendments

Recent and proposed amendments to the Health and Safety at Work Act (HSWA) are placing increased emphasis on the identification, management, and assurance of critical risks and their controls.

This includes a stronger focus on:

• Clearly defined critical risks and associated controls
• Governance and due diligence oversight of how those controls are implemented and maintained
• Greater transparency in how risks are managed across organisations

These changes reinforce the importance of robust systems that provide confidence critical controls are effective in practice, not just in design.

Further Information

This page is being updated to reflect evolving regulatory expectations and industry alignment on critical risk management.