> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.flylogs.com/fcom/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.flylogs.com/fcom/sms/icao-8951-risk-matrix.md).

# ICAO 8951 Risk Matrix

Flylogs now includes full support for the ICAO 8951 Risk Matrix as part of its Safety Management System (SMS). This feature helps organizations assess, document, and visualize safety risks using a sta

### When Is the Risk Matrix Used?

The ICAO 8951 risk matrix is set from the **Manage** action on a safety report. From there, the safety manager can:

* Select the **initial risk severity**
* Select the **initial risk probability**
* Define **mitigation actions or corrective measures**
* (Optionally) Select the **mitigated risk severity** and **probability**

> **Access:** the Manage action, and the risk fields inside it, are only available to users in **group level 149 or lower** (administrators and managers).

Once saved, a visual risk matrix will be automatically generated and attached to the report for reference.

> **Note:** this is a different value from the report's own **severity** (Incident/Accident for a Safety Occurrence, or General Information/Hazard for Safety Information — see [Create a Safety Report](/fcom/sms/create-a-safety-report.md#report-classification)). The risk matrix's severity is the A–E ICAO scale below, used specifically to grade the assessed risk, independently of how the report itself was classified.

***

### How to Use the Risk Matrix

1. **Navigate to a safety report**\
   Open any report from the Safety menu that is ready to be closed or published.
2. **Select risk values**\
   Under the "Risk Assessment" section, choose:
   * **Risk Severity**: A Catastrophic, B Hazardous, C Major, D Minor, E Negligible
   * **Risk Probability**: 5 Frequent, 4 Occasional, 3 Remote, 2 Improbable, 1 Extremely Improbable (per ICAO Doc 9859: 5 = most likely, 1 = least likely)
3. **Enter corrective actions**\
   Clearly describe any actions taken to mitigate the risk.
4. **(Optional) Define mitigated risk**\
   If actions were effective, update the post-mitigation severity and probability.
5. **Save and close the report**\
   A dynamic matrix will be displayed on the report, showing both initial and mitigated risk levels.

***

### Understanding the Matrix

The matrix follows the ICAO 8951 standard: **severity** (A Catastrophic → E Negligible) across the columns, **probability** (5 Frequent → 1 Extremely Improbable) down the rows. Every one of the 25 cells is pre-colored to its ICAO risk tolerability band:

* 🟩 Green: Low risk
* 🟨 Yellow/Orange: Medium risk
* 🟥 Red: High risk

Your report's assessed risk is then marked on top of that reference grid — a red badge for the **initial risk** cell, and a green badge for the **mitigated risk** cell once mitigation has been recorded. When both are set, a before → after summary is shown underneath the grid.

![](https://3907986352-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FMT7uFw9SCqEw2vqrAnQg%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-88bfc230c2158dbf685e17fb243beae7091b54b7%2Fsafety-report-risk-matrix.png?alt=media)

#### Who can see it

* The matrix is hidden entirely while the report is **Open** — it only appears once a risk assessment has actually been recorded.
* While the report is **Reviewed**, only staff (group level 150 or lower) see the matrix; other users who can view the report see the rest of it without the matrix.
* Once the report is **Closed** or **Published**, the matrix is visible to everyone who can view the report.

***

### Why It Matters

The ICAO risk matrix helps:

* Standardize risk assessment across all reports
* Improve visibility for management decisions
* Ensure compliance with ICAO safety management practices