Glossary · Evidence, assurance and traceability
Residual risk evidence
In safety assurance, residual risk evidence is the evidence showing how remaining risks were evaluated, communicated, accepted, and monitored. It connects the end of risk reduction to the information given to users and to field monitoring.
- Functional safety
- Technical documentation
In one sentence
Residual risk evidence shows how remaining risks were evaluated, communicated to users, accepted and monitored after release.
Example
For a CNC machine, residual risk evidence links the remaining risk of hot chips to the risk evaluation, the warning in the operating manual, the safety sign on the door and the review of service reports.
How it applies
- Risk assessment: ISO 12100 requires residual risks to be evaluated after risk reduction. Record why each residual risk was judged acceptable, with a risk acceptance justification.
- Technical documentation: Each residual risk that users must know about needs a corresponding warning, instruction or sign. The evidence is the link between the risk entry and the published text.
- Evidence: Monitoring after release shows whether the residual risks behave as estimated. Incidents involving a residual risk should trigger a review.
- Communication: Informing users does not make a risk acceptable by itself. Information for use is the last step after design and safeguarding, and the evidence should show that order.
Residual risk evidence vs. residual risk statement
A residual risk statement is the text that tells users about a remaining risk. Residual risk evidence proves that the risk was evaluated, communicated with that statement and monitored.