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Risk Management (RM)

As an Air Force member, you should have had previous training on RM. This document is
intended to be a high-level review of key concepts related to RM. As an inspector, you have a
responsibility to ensure that the inspection scenarios you plan do not contain unnecessary risks
that could result in injury, death and/or equipment damage. You must conduct an RM review of
all inspection scenarios.
Overview
Reference Publication:

Air Force Policy Directive 90-8, ENVIRONMENT, SAFETY & OCCUPATIONAL

HEALTH MANAGEMENT AND RISK MANAGEMENT
Air Force Pamphlet 90-803, Risk Management Guidelines and Tools
The Air Force's Risk Management (RM) concept is based on the following tenets:

All are responsible for using RM.

Risk is inherent in all operations.
Risk can be controlled.

Risk management is not new to the Air Force. It's the way we do business everyday. However,
this systematic approach to risk management is new in that it allows for more consistency
in our decision-making processes. Rather than relying solely on individual experience to
achieve the best results, risk management teaches us that careful analysis and control of hazards
will give us the optimum results in any situation.
Goals of Risk Management
The fundamental goal of risk management is to enhance mission effectiveness at all levels, while
preserving assets and safeguarding health and welfare.
Additionally, the risk management process can identify and exploit opportunities that provide the
greatest return on our investment of time, dollars, and personnel.

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Figure 1. Risk Management Goals

The ultimate objective of any military organization is maximizing combat capability. RM can
contribute to this objective by preventing mishaps and reducing the loss of resources. By
identifying hazards and controlling risks, RM maximizes combat capability.

RM Principles
RM has four key principles that govern its application. These underlying principles should be
considered before, during, and after every application of the Five-Step Process.
1. Accept no unnecessary risk.
All USAF missions and daily routines involve risk. You must accept necessary risk
required to successfully complete the mission or task. Unnecessary risk comes without a
corresponding return, in terms of real benefits or available opportunities. RM is
dedicated to identifying and avoiding unnecessary risks.
2. Make risk decisions at the appropriate level.
Those accountable for the success or failure of the mission must be included in the riskdecision process. This establishes clear accountability. Commanders must ensure
subordinates know how much risk they may accept and when they must elevate the
decision to a higher level.
3. Integrate RM into operations, activities and planning at all levels.
To effectively apply risk management, commanders, leaders and personnel must
dedicate time and resources to integrate RM principles into planning, operational
processes and day-to-day activities.
4. Apply the process cyclically and continuously.
RM is a continuous process applied across the full spectrum of military training and
operations, base operations functions, and day-to-day activities/ events both on- and offduty.

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The Five-Step RM Process

A 5-Step cycle of RM where hazards are continually identified, assessed, mitigated and
controlled, and evaluated.

Figure 2. 5-step RM Process

Refresher Training. If you need more in-depth refresher training on RM, the new AF RM
Fundamentals Course is now up and operational on the ADLS AF site. It can be accessed at
the following URL: https://golearn.csd.disa.mil/kc/main/kc_frame.asp , under the
"Miscellaneous" course list as "Air Force Risk Management Fundamentals". The course
should take most users approximately 1 hour to complete.