Describe a risk management process for an upcoming operation at the unit level, including hazard identification and control measures.

• A. Identify hazards, assess probability and consequence, implement mitigations, monitor residual risk, and re-evaluate as the operation progresses.
• B. Ignore hazards to maintain momentum.
• C. Do not implement mitigations.
• D. Re-evaluate risk only after operations conclude.

Answer: (A)

Risk management at the unit level is an ongoing, proactive cycle that starts with identifying what could go wrong and ends with adjusting actions as the situation changes. The strongest approach lays out a full sequence: first identify hazards, then assess risk by considering how likely each hazard is and how severe the potential consequence could be; next implement controls to reduce that risk; monitor the remaining risk (residual risk) to ensure the controls are working; and re-evaluate ongoing risk as the operation progresses so you can adapt to new information or changes on the ground. This keeps risk at acceptable levels throughout planning and execution and prevents surprises.

Hazard identification sets the foundation, drawing on checklists, standard operating procedures, prior lessons learned, and input from those closest to the task. Assessing probability and consequence translates those hazards into quantified or structured risk, guiding where mitigations are most needed. Implementing mitigations—engineering controls, administrative procedures, training, or personal protective measures—reduces the likelihood or impact of hazards. Monitoring residual risk ensures controls remain effective and prompts adjustments if conditions shift. Finally, re-evaluating as the operation progresses is essential because new threats can emerge, variables can change, and what was acceptable at one moment may not be later.

Choosing to ignore hazards, skip mitigations, or wait until after the operation to reassess would leave the team vulnerable and eliminates the opportunity to adapt to evolving conditions, which is why these approaches are not suitable.