How can SULs use checklists in RM?

• A. To delay decision-making.
• B. To document only hazards that are obvious.
• C. To ensure critical hazards are not overlooked and standard controls are consistently applied.
• D. To replace all other RM steps.

Answer: (C)

Checklists in risk management act as a structured reminder to identify critical hazards and enforce standard controls, so nothing important is missed and controls are consistently applied. They guide SULs through each part of the risk process, prompting consideration of common threat areas, enabling recognition of hazards that might not be obvious in the moment, and ensuring proven controls—like communication protocols, buddy checks, PPE usage, and operational discipline—are put in place every time.

This approach helps maintain consistency across the unit and mission types, reduces the chance of overlooking high-priority risks, and supports timely, informed decisions without slowing down the process. It’s not about delaying decisions, nor about listing only obvious hazards, nor about replacing other RM steps; it augments the risk process to make it thorough and repeatable, while the SUL still analyzes, decides, and supervises risk controls.