Risk Assessment
Overview
Since its formation in 1990, RPA has been undertaking risk assessment work. Throughout, we have prepared reports which are both robust and accessible to the non-specialist. In recent years, we have attempted to avoid unproductive debates over the precise definitions of risk, hazard, etc. by adopting a consistent terminology and approach which can be applied to a broad range of activities.
Terminology
RPA has adopted the following definitions (based on a comprehensive report published by DG SANCO in 2000):
- Hazard – the potential of a risk source to cause an adverse effect(s)/event(s);
- Risk – the probability and severity of an adverse effect/event occurring to man or the environment following exposure, under defined conditions, to a risk source(s); and
- Risk Assessment – a process of evaluation including the identification of the attendant uncertainties, of the likelihood and severity of an adverse effect(s)/event(s) occurring to man or the environment following exposure under defined conditions to a risk source(s).
Clearly, such definitions are generic in nature and need to be adapted to the issues under consideration. Our experience indicates that such definitions can be adapted without difficulty across a diverse range of risk studies.
Applications
RPA's risk assessment work includes studies on:
- aircraft accidents
- chemical/oil/gas plants and/or storage
- consumer products
- emissions of dioxins/furans from incinerators
- engineered landfills
- explosives (and fireworks) facilities
- fairground safety
- food safety
- gas-fired power stations
- genetically modified organisms (GMOs)
- marine oil/chemical terminals
- mobile phones
- pipelines (oil, gas and chemical)
- a rocket test track
- security of supply
- sewage pumping stations
- shipping accidents
- toys
- transport of dangerous goods
- waste treatment centres
- water treatment works (including chlorine usage)
- workplace safety
The two other key areas of RPA's risk assessment work are in the usage of chemicals and flood risks.
