Which ORM principle emphasizes where risk decisions should be made?

• A. Accept risk when benefits outweigh the cost
• B. Make risk decisions at the right level
• C. Anticipate and manage risk by planning
• D. Accept no unnecessary risk

Answer: (B)

Decisions about risk should be made at the right level of authority. This means the person closest to the operation, with the necessary knowledge and resources, evaluates the risk and decides how to proceed—whether to continue, modify, or abort—while higher levels provide guidance and oversight as needed. In practice, on-scene supervisors or team leads handle immediate risk calls, and escalate as the situation demands. This approach keeps decisions timely, informed, and accountable, which is essential in high-stakes tasks like EOD or dive operations. The other principles focus on weighing benefits, planning to manage risk, or avoiding unnecessary risk, but they don’t specify who should make the risk decisions.