Nicole Rosie nicely explains how to define critical risks and why we should prioritise our focus on them.
https://youtu.be/fRVlTL5_hJ8

Critical Risk stems from activities regularly undertaken by a PCBU that if not adequately controlled could result in a significant injury or fatality.

From a OHS risk management perspective, the term 'critical risk' has always been a concern, because the existence of an 'intolerable risk' should result in a work shutdown. The other day I met an old colleague from the chemicals industry who is now a senior ops manager in Queensland. They talk about 'critical hazards', which if are not robustly controlled become intolerable risks. In that context, it makes far more sense to me.

Hey,

We try to keep things simple down south so Critical risks for us are those that have the energy present to seriously harm or kill one or more of our people instantly.

I find these links quite useful

https://www.nzism.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Changing-from-Hazard-to-Risk-Management-May-2016.pdf

https://safetree.nz/2017/08/09/why-we-need-to-focus-on-critical-risks/

https://safetycharter.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/ACC-Critical-Risk-Cards.pdf

Our definition, kept fairly simple is "any hazard or risk where if control is lost the consequence has the potential to be one or more fatalities"

I'd just like to point out that it's important to remember that critical risks should include those with the potential to cause death in the future (i.e. health risks), not just immediately (i.e. safety risks).

I find that when talking about critical risks, the work-related health aspect is often overlooked.

Thanks for all the replies everyone!

That's a very good and very valid point. In my response above I did not included Chronic or wellbeing risks as the definition asked for critical. As a business we track both in the H&S space.

Useful list of Examples of Risks by [NZ] Sectors [underpinned by evidence and science] available online at: https://worksafe.govt.nz/managing-health-and-safety/businesses/safeplus/resources-guidance/ Some, but not all of these are critical risks. May prove helpful none the less.

The definition that I use for critical risk is:
‘If the controls fail, there is the potential for either a fatality or a permanent disability.’