Bow Tie Risk Assessment Template for Australia

A Bow Tie Risk Assessment is a comprehensive risk evaluation tool that provides a visual and systematic approach to understanding potential hazards, their causes, and consequences. This methodology combines fault tree analysis (identifying what could cause an incident) with event tree analysis (examining what could happen after an incident), creating a "bow tie" shaped diagram that gives organizations a complete picture of risk scenarios and control measures.

When do you need this document?

You need a Bow Tie Risk Assessment when dealing with complex, high-consequence risks where traditional risk assessment methods may be insufficient. This includes major hazard facilities, chemical processing plants, mining operations, oil and gas installations, and any workplace where a single incident could result in multiple fatalities, significant environmental damage, or major property loss. The assessment is particularly valuable when you're implementing new processes, modifying existing operations, investigating serious incidents, or when regulatory authorities require demonstration of comprehensive risk management. You'll also need this document when preparing safety cases, conducting periodic safety reviews, or training personnel on complex risk scenarios.

Key legal considerations

The bow tie methodology must address several critical legal elements to ensure compliance and effectiveness. Your assessment must clearly identify the primary hazard or top event, systematically analyze all credible threat scenarios that could lead to the hazard, and document both preventive barriers (controls that prevent the hazard from occurring) and protective barriers (controls that mitigate consequences). Each barrier must be assigned to responsible parties with clear accountability frameworks. The assessment should include barrier effectiveness ratings, failure modes analysis, and regular testing or inspection requirements. You must also consider the hierarchy of controls, ensuring that elimination and substitution are prioritized over administrative controls and personal protective equipment. Documentation must be sufficient to demonstrate due diligence and that risks have been reduced to levels that are reasonably practicable.

Legal requirements in Australia

Under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs) have a primary duty of care to ensure workplace health and safety so far as is reasonably practicable. This includes identifying hazards, assessing risks, and implementing control measures. The Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 specify requirements for risk management processes, including hazard identification, risk assessment, and implementation of control measures. Your bow tie assessment must align with AS/NZS ISO 31000:2018 risk management principles and may need to reference AS IEC 61025-2014 for fault tree analysis components. For major hazard facilities, additional requirements under state-based dangerous goods legislation may apply. Environmental risks must also consider the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 where applicable. Regular review and update of the assessment is required, particularly when changes to operations occur or after incidents.