Delaying Decisions to Avoid SFAIRP
29 March 2026

Delaying Decisions to Avoid SFAIRP

Risk! Engineers Talk Governance

About

In this episode of Risk! Engineers Talk Governance, due diligence engineers Richard Robinson and Gaye Francis discuss Delaying Decisions to avoid SFAIRP (So Far As Is Reasonably Practicable).

Their conversation covers:

    if lack of a decision is the result of ignorance and poor governance rather than deliberate strategyhow the elimination option often gets tested far too late in the design processwhy briefing board members and their legal counsel on WHS legislation obligations is often what finally moves the needlethe example the case of the Port of Auckland's Chief Executive serve as a reminder that commercial priorities don't shield senior decision makers from criminal consequencesif you're going to delay or decline a safety decision, you must document your reasoning thoroughly, revisit it regularly as circumstances change, and understand that sitting on a decision is itself a courageous choice.

 

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For further information on Richard and Gaye’s consulting work with R2A, head to https://www.r2a.com.au, where you’ll also find their booklets (store) and a sign-up for their quarterly newsletter to keep informed of their latest news and events. 

Gaye is also founder of Australian women’s safety workwear company Apto PPE https://www.aptoppe.com.au.