What Is a RACI Matrix
Clarifying Roles and Responsibilities in Safety Management and ISO 45001 Systems
A RACI Matrix is a role-clarification tool used to define and document responsibilities across tasks, projects, or systems. It maps out who is Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, and Informed for each activity. In safety-critical environments, especially those aligned with ISO 45001 Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S), the RACI Matrix ensures that duties are well defined and that all stakeholders understand their roles in managing workplace risk.
Understanding the RACI Roles
- Responsible (R): The person or team assigned to complete the task or carry out the action.
- Accountable (A): The individual ultimately answerable for task completion and decision approval.
- Consulted (C): Subject matter experts or stakeholders who must be consulted before actions are taken.
- Informed (I): Individuals who must be kept informed of progress, but do not participate directly.
Why Use a RACI Matrix in OH&S?
In ISO 45001-compliant safety systems, the RACI Matrix is especially useful when defining roles for safety-related tasks, risk controls, audits, inspections, or emergency response protocols.
- Clarifies who must act and who must approve in risk management workflows.
- Prevents role confusion and overlapping responsibilities on site.
- Enhances stakeholder engagement by ensuring the right people are consulted or informed.
- Supports clause 5.3 (Organisational roles, responsibilities and authorities) of ISO 45001.
Example: RACI Matrix in a Permit-to-Work System
In a high-risk work environment, a RACI Matrix might define:
- Responsible: Supervisor issuing the permit.
- Accountable: Site Manager who owns safety compliance.
- Consulted: Safety Officer for technical validation.
- Informed: Workers affected by the task or nearby activities.
Implementing RACI in Safety Programmes
RACI Matrices are often created as part of stakeholder mapping or process mapping sessions. They can be used alongside IPO Analysis , Stakeholder Mapping or Onion Diagram to build a complete picture of who is involved and where accountability lies.
A RACI Matrix defines roles for each stakeholder, clarifies who does what, and reduces confusion across complex projects or safety programmes.
RACI helps satisfy ISO 45001 Clause 5.3 by documenting organisational roles and ensuring safety responsibilities are clearly assigned and communicated.
Yes. RACI is often combined with stakeholder mapping tools like IPO, MOVER, and Power-Interest Matrices to build a full picture of roles, engagement, and responsibilities.