A simple interpretation of risk management in organisations is that it is a process intended to minimise negative effects and maximise the positive ones. This in the long-run contributes to the bottom line, protects and preserves the organisation’s brand because it minimises reputational damage.

As a risk management practitioner, I would like to share a few examples of practical risk management to be aware of in our city (Kigali):

Fire escapes in buildings

I am hoping that all buildings in Kigali city have fire escapes, especially those that are more than one storey high. But I may be wrong. Fire escapes (special kind of emergency exits) are part of risk management in case other escape routes are blocked during say, fire evacuation or any other eventuality. What some of the findings have revealed in other countries where I have done audits regarding the use of fire escapes is that:

l Some people use these fire escapes as storage space. You find boxes packed behind fire escape routes to the extent that no one can exit through in case of an emergence.

l Another scenario is where these doors were locked with padlocks, with excuses of restricting entry by unauthorised people. This is correct reasoning, but wrong execution. The fact that some people misuse fire escapes could be wrong building design because fire escapes are supposed to open from one side if they lead to areas that are restricted.

l How many employees know where the fire escape is, and how often do we have fire drills so that occupants of high rise buildings are familiar with these emergence escape routes?

l How many people know where fire extinguishers are or how to operate them? Are these fire extinguishers empty or do they operate as intended? There is need to regularly service fire extinguishers to make sure they are working.

The question is how often do we check our fire escape routes to ensure they are not blocked by objects or used as storage space?

We should not find the answer at the time when we need to use the fire escapes because this may cost us lives in case of fire outbreaks.

As high rise buildings in Kigali increase, hereunder are some of the risk management practices that could help avoid disasters. Property owners and the occupants need to devise constant fire drill programmes to educate people on what to do in case of fire.

Open windows in high rise buildings. Have you ever considered these as being a risk? If not start thinking about cases where people have jumped though open windows and committed suicide or where people have been intentionally or accidentally pushed through open windows from high rise buildings.

Although some may view these as necessary for air circulation in absence of air conditioners, some countries do not allow openable windows above a certain level to avoid cases of people falling out. Are these some of the things we consider when designing our houses?

Open trenches around our houses and neighbourhoods to allow rain water drainage. These trenches are essential and serve a good cause, but pose a high risk in case one slipped in and fractures their leg or arm.

Uncovered trenches by the road side help drain rain water, but pose a risk to drivers, motorcyclists and other road users, especially in case of an accident.

The risk can however be minimised by having these covered in a way that it would be easy to access and clean them.

Taking shelter at petrol stations during rain

It is common for motorcylists and other city dwellers to take shelter at fuel stations when it rains. Sometimes motorists seeking to refill their tanks find it hard to access pumps.

At times station owners have to beg or literary push the people to give way so they can serve their customers. I am not sure whether this is just innocence on the part of the people taking shelter at fuel stations or whether it is sheer negligence. Whatever the reason, this is risky. 

The risk of crowding under a fuel station is so immense that any person should always avoid.

The argument could possibly be that we have never had any accident under these circumstances, but we do not have to wait until we get one because the effects can be disastrous?

One of the most interesting examples is how the captain of the Titanic, which sank in 1912, had explained five years prior to the accident, saying he has never experienced any possible calamities and, claiming that it was not necessary to take any precautions because this was not necessary.

What followed five years later was exactly what he was being asked to address. Had he been prepared for any eventualities, maybe the Titanic could not have destroyed over 1,500 people on April 15, 1912.

Therefore, with Kigali city growing to international scales, there are some risk measures that were not necessary in the past, but which the city authority must enforce to make the city safer and prepared for any eventuality.

The writer is a senior manager  (Advisory) at EY Rwanda

george.nsamba@rw.ey.com