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Risk analysis

par Buekens, Alfons;De Caevel, Bernard ;Neyt, Alain
Référence Environmental Management in Practice: Instruments for Environmental Management, Taylor and Francis Inc., Vol. 1, page (144-168)
Publication Publié, 2013-01

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Résumé :

Attention is focused in this chapter on risk, industrial risk in particular, and the consequences that flow from it to affect both people and the environment. The nature of risk is explored after a general introduction, followed by a discussion of how risk is perceived subjectively by both people and societies with respect to their norms, values and attitudes. Formal definitions of risk and 'acceptable risk' are then given, together with methods of ecological risk assessment and the uncertainties inherent to them. The role and impact of the 'human factor' in the management of both risk and its consequences are then discussed, pointing out that risk management works most effectively and efficiently only when it is integrated into the general corporate management of organisations. This is followed by a discussion of both qualitative and quantitative risk analysis, along with the limitations of the latter and how an 'acceptable level of risk' is perceived. Finally, the roles of governments, the public, industry and scientific research in risk analysis and management are elaborated with the future perspective in mind. It is argued that further progress will require careful study of the consequences of decisions on the value of unknown parameters and the narrowing of confidence intervals in risk analysis. And that, in spite of its limitations, risk analysis can greatly contribute to the identification and evaluation of various hazards, to the prevention of accidents, and to the attenuation of damage, whether caused by a sudden or permanent exposure.