Running an aged care home is like juggling teacups on a windy day—one wrong move, and something is bound to crash. That is why having a solid risk register is not just a nice-to-have. It is a must. This guide is your step-by-step roadmap to help you build and look after your risk register, without the fluff, the jargon, or the headache.

Whether you are a nurse manager, a care coordinator, or someone wearing three hats before breakfast, this blog will keep things simple and easy to follow. Let us get into it.

What Is a Risk Register, Really?

Think of a risk register as your safety net. It is a list of things that might go wrong, what you are doing about them, and who is in charge. In aged care, this includes anything from slippery floors to medication mix-ups.

Your risk register is part of your hazard management in aged care. It also plays a big part in your WHS record—that is, your workplace health and safety documentation. If it is not written down, it might as well not exist when auditors come knocking.

Why You Need One

Not to sound dramatic, but a missing or messy risk register can cost you big time. It could mean harm to residents or staff, not to mention penalties and bad press.

Here is what a proper risk register does for you:

• Helps keep residents and staff safe
  
• Makes inspections easier
  
• Keeps your compliance log tidy
  
• Shows you are managing hazards instead of reacting to them
  

It is not just about ticking boxes. It is about spotting trouble before it lands in your lap.

Step 1: Set Up Your Risk Categories

Before you write anything down, sort your risks into buckets. This makes it easier to track and manage them later. Here are a few common categories in aged care:

• Health and safety risks: Slips, trips, and falls
  
• Clinical risks: Medication errors, pressure injuries
  
• Operational risks: Power outages, staff shortages
  
• Environmental risks: Fire hazards, water leaks
  
• Security risks: Missing residents, unauthorised access
  

You can always add more categories if needed, but do not go overboard. Keep it simple.

Step 2: List the Risks

Now comes the detective work. Walk around. Ask staff. Check past incident reports. Think like Murphy—if it can go wrong, it probably will.

Here are a few examples:

• Wet floor near the dining area
  
• Confused resident wandering out the front gate
  
• Nurse working a double shift and missing medication rounds
  

Write each risk in plain English. No need to sound like a lawyer. If a new staff member cannot understand it, it needs rewriting.

Step 3: Assess the Risks

This is where you ask two questions:

1. How likely is it to happen?
   
2. How bad would it be if it did?
   

You can rate these on a simple scale—low, medium, or high. Or you can use numbers, like 1 to 5. Whatever works, as long as everyone uses the same method.

For example:

• Wet floor: Likely = High, Impact = Medium
  
• Fire in the laundry: Likely = Low, Impact = High
  

This helps you decide what needs fixing first.

Step 4: Add Controls

You cannot bubble-wrap the whole building. But you can put measures in place to reduce the chance of something going wrong—or to soften the blow if it does.

Controls can be:

• Preventative: Mop the floors regularly, put up signs
  
• Detective: Daily checks, alarm systems
  
• Corrective: Fire drills, extra training
  
  

Make sure each risk in your register has at least one control. If it does not, ask why.

Step 5: Assign Responsibility

Someone needs to be in charge of each risk. Not in a “blame game” way, but in a “you are our go-to” way.

Put the person’s name and role next to each risk. Avoid vague titles like “team leader” if possible. You want names, not riddles.

For example:

• Risk: Slippery bathroom tiles
  Control: Non-slip mats, daily cleaning
  Responsible: Jane Thomas, Housekeeping Supervisor
  

Step 6: Keep It Updated

A risk register is not a “set and forget” list. It is more like a garden. It needs watering, weeding, and the occasional scarecrow.

Set a schedule to review it—monthly, quarterly, or after any big incident. During reviews, check:

• Are any risks no longer relevant?
  
• Have new risks popped up?
  
• Are the controls still working?
  
• Has the responsible person changed?
  

If your register sits in a dusty drawer, it will not help anyone. Keep it alive and breathing.

Step 7: Link It to Your Compliance Log and WHS Record

Your compliance log is where you track how you are meeting all the rules and regulations. Your WHS record covers workplace safety issues. Your risk register links to both.

Every time you address a risk—through training, equipment, or policy changes—log it in your compliance file. If someone asks, you can show exactly what you did and when.

You will look well-organised, not caught off guard.

Tips to Keep Things Running Smoothly

Here are some handy habits that will make managing your risk register less of a chore:

• Involve your team: Two heads are better than one, and twenty heads are even better. Encourage staff to speak up when they spot a new risk.
  
• Use simple language: Fancy terms might look clever, but clear wins every time.
  
• Train staff regularly: Make sure everyone knows what the risk register is and how they can help keep it up to date.
  
• Back it up: Whether you use paper or digital records, keep a copy somewhere safe.
  
• Celebrate wins: When a risk is reduced or removed, give the team a pat on the back. Progress feels good.
  

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Sometimes the biggest danger is in the things we do not do. Watch out for these traps:

• Outdated entries: Risks from five years ago are not helpful if they no longer apply.
  
• Blame culture: If staff feel punished for raising issues, they will keep quiet—and that helps no one.
  
• Overcomplicating things: A risk register does not need to be a 50-page saga. It just needs to be clear, honest, and kept up to date.
  

Wrap Up: It Is All About Paying Attention

Building and keeping a risk register is a bit like brushing your teeth. It might not be glamorous, but skip it for too long, and you will regret it.

In aged care, things change fast—new residents, new staff, and new challenges. But when you have a solid register in place, you are not always on the back foot. You are prepared, calm, and in control.

Remember: small steps every day lead to big safety improvements down the track.

So grab that notebook—or that tablet—and start writing. The safety of your residents, your staff, and your peace of mind is worth every minute.

If you need a gentle reminder pinned to the wall, here it is:

"Safety is not a department. It is everyone’s job, every day."

Now, go and build that risk register like a pro. Just maybe skip the cape. You are doing enough hero work already.