Health Risk Governance
Health risk governance is less about day‑to‑day controls and more about decision quality, accountability, and assurance—particularly where risks are complex, uncertain, or high‑consequence
Critical Risk Governance
Health risk governance is the framework through which the board ensures that material health risks are identified, understood, managed, and overseen in a way that protects people, the organisation, and the board itself. It is a core component of effective corporate governance, risk oversight, and fiduciary duty.
At board level, health risk governance is less about day‑to‑day controls and more about decision quality, accountability, and assurance—particularly where risks are complex, uncertain, or high‑consequence.
Our consultants work with boards to develop a Governance framework for Health Risk Management, identify and manage critical risk and implement a control measure assurance program. Key benefits of a robust control assurance program include:
Demonstrating active oversight of material risks
Reducing reliance on lag indicators (injuries, incidents)
Strengthens legal and regulatory defensibility
Supports director due‑diligence obligations
Improves confidence during crises, inquiries, or litigation
-
The board ensures that:
Health risks are clearly assigned to executive owners
Reporting lines and escalation thresholds are defined
There is clarity between management responsibility and board oversight
-
Boards must be satisfied that:
Decisions are based on credible evidence and expert advice
Key assumptions and uncertainties are understood
Trade‑offs between health, operational, legal, and reputational risks are explicit
-
The board sets and reviews:
The organisation’s tolerance for health‑related harm
How health risks are balanced against commercial objectives
Whether decisions align with stated values, policies, and obligations
-
Effective governance requires:
Meaningful health risk reporting (not just lag indicators)
Independent assurance where risks are high or contested
Regular review of incidents, near misses, and emerging risks
-
Boards must ensure:
Compliance with health, safety, and public health obligations
Decisions are defensible to regulators, courts, and inquiries
Ethical and equity impacts are considered, particularly for vulnerable groups
Why choose Exposure Science Consulting?
-
Proven Expertise & Experience
Our team has a vast breadth and depth of knowledge across a large array of industries and health risks.
-
Nationwide Coverage
We come to you, wherever that may be, all proposals include any required travel costs.
-
Solutions Focused
Our goal is to provide solutions to problems, thereby building a long-term partnership. We excel at quality communication, focused reporting and exceeding clients' expectations - always.