Introduction to the Task

This Scenario-Based Decision-Making Task places the learner in the role of a senior safety officer / site engineer / supervisor responsible for managing an emerging safety-critical situation in a complex, multi-contractor environment.

The scenario requires you to:

• Make immediate and strategic decisions
• Apply ISO 45001 principles
• Evaluate quantifiable risks at organisational and operational levels
• Communicate risk information effectively to diverse groups
• Justify the reasoning behind your decisions
• Identify required documentation, controls, and follow-up actions

This task is designed to develop your professional judgement at a Level 7 standard— requiring advanced critical analysis, leadership-level decision making, and systemsfocused safety management.

Scenario: Failure Warning Indicators in a High-Risk Construction Zone

You are the Senior Safety Officer on a major construction project involving a 45-storey high-rise with an adjacent deep excavation for a basement parking structure. Multiple subcontractors operate on site, including concrete works, electrical installations, tower crane operations, and excavation crews.

Current Situation (Presented to You at 9:45 AM on a Working Day):

1. Tower Crane Operator Report:

The crane operator reports unusual vibration and a slight lag in the slewing mechanism during rotation. The operator suggests that “it might just be the wind,” but admits it hasn’t happened before.

2. Excavation Supervisor Report:

A geotechnical monitoring alarm indicates a 2.5 mm overnight movement on the retaining wall—exceeding the 1 mm threshold but below the formal emergency trigger of 5 mm. The excavation team has not stopped work.

3. Concrete Pour Team:

A large concrete pour is scheduled in 45 minutes involving 25 workers. The delay would cost the main contractor £18,000 due to pump standby costs and batch plant timing.

4. Client Representative Email:

The client emphasizes “avoid any downtime today; project timeline is already slipping.” They expect the pour to proceed unless there is “clear evidence of imminent danger.”

5. ISO 45001 Internal Audit Tomorrow:

Your site is scheduled for an ISO 45001 surveillance audit the next morning, focusing on risk-based decision making and contractor management.

6. Safety Documentation Status:

o The tower crane inspection log was last updated 9 days ago (supposed to be weekly).
o Excavation monitoring records show inconsistent entries over the past 2 weeks.
o Concrete pour risk assessment is 3 months old; conditions have changed.

Your Role in This Task

You must make immediate, medium-term, and strategic decisions aligned with:

• ISO 45001 safety leadership expectations
• Organisational risk appetite
• Quantifiable risk assessment models
• Effective risk communication principles
• Legal and due-diligence requirements

Decision-Making Questions (In-Depth / Level 7 Standard)

1. Immediate Decision Priorities

1. What are your top three immediate priorities, considering the crane anomaly and retaining wall movement?
2. Which operations (if any) do you suspend instantly, and why?
3. How would you justify your decision in the event of a legal inquiry or ISO 45001 audit?

2. Application of ISO 45001 Requirements

1. Which clauses of ISO 45001 are directly applicable in this scenario (e.g., leadership, hazard identification, contractor control, emergency preparedness)?
2. How would you demonstrate compliance in the face of incomplete documentation?
3. What changes to the safety management system would you initiate to prevent recurrence?

3. Quantifiable Risk Evaluation

4. Strategic Risk Implications

1. How do these issues affect the organisation’s broader risk profile (financial, legal, reputational, operational)?
2. Identify two possible systemic failures indicated by the scenario.
3. What long-term controls or strategic changes must be implemented?

5. Risk Communication Strategy

6. Required Records and Documentation

List all documents that must be generated or updated today to ensure compliance with ISO 45001 and legal frameworks (e.g., stop-work orders, inspection records, risk reevaluation forms, toolbox talk minutes, method statement review notes, monitoring logs).

7. Post-Incident / Preventive Actions

1. Develop a corrective action plan addressing crane inspection schedules, geotechnical monitoring, and contractor oversight.
2. Outline how you will use leading indicators to prevent future near-misses
3. Recommend improvements using principles of risk-based safety systems management.

Expected Deliverable from the Learner

The learner will produce a detailed decision-making report (1500–2500 words recommended) that includes:

• Clear identification of priorities and required actions
• Integration of ISO 45001 requirements into decisions
• Use of quantifiable and qualitative risk analysis
• Transparent risk communication strategy
• Evidence-based decision justification
• Recommendations for organisational risk system improvements