Advanced Safety Management, 3rd Edition

CHAPTER 25ACHIEVING ACCEPTABLE RISK LEVELS: THE OPERATIONAL GOAL

In the second edition of this book, published in 2014, the case was made that the term “acceptable risk” was more frequently used in standards and guidelines throughout the world. And several examples of that usage were given. In succeeding years, the use of the term has expanded considerably.

A journey into the Internet will show that a goodly number of additional entities in a variety of endeavors have adopted the term “acceptable risk” and made known their definitions. They differ somewhat.

Nevertheless, the premise that achieving zero risk levels in operations is not possible is broadly accepted. In many fields, then, there has been a search for an answer to the question that many have asked—how much risk is acceptable? For those involved in hazard-related entities, this author's answer to that question is provided here.

It was also said in the second edition that a substantial percentage of the personnel who have safety, health, and environmental responsibilities are reluctant to use the term. Evidence of that reluctance often arises in discussions on the development of new or revised standards or technical reports. Possibly, that aversion derives from:

• A lack of awareness of the factors that determine risk—probability of occurrence and severity of outcome of an incident or exposure.
• Aversion to the premise that some risks are acceptable.
• Not being familiar with the literature that convincingly demonstrates ...