User:Tvdsme1/Risk Analyses, Assessment and Management (RAAM)

Risk Analyses, Assessment and Management (RAAM)

Risk Analyses includes: Developing an Inventory of Hazards and Considering Potential Hazard Release and/or Exposure; Reviewing Circumstances that can Cause Problems (Equipment,Facilities, Automated Process Control Systems); Reviewing Tasks performed by People; Considering Potential Hazard Release and/or Exposure; Considering Potential for Incidents, (Harm to People, the Environment/Ecosystem and/or Causing Damage to Equipment/Facilities/Tools).

Risk Assessment considers: The Potential Hazard Exposure Frequency, (are Vulnerable Objects such as People, Environment/Ecosystem and/or Equipment/Facilities often Close to the Hazard?); The Hazard Severity/Significance, (how dangerous is the Hazard?); The potential Consequence, (e.g. cut in the finger versus explosion); The likelihood of a Worst Case Scenario Incident. This Worst Case Scenario Incident Must be a Realistic Scenario.

Risk Assessment may be done in a Qualitative Fashion using Tools such as Risk-Matrixes and Nomograms, it may also be that Quantitative Risk Assessment (QRA) is required by Law or warranted based on other considerations. QRA includes Calculations of Incident Probability/Likelihood and Potential Effects, (e.g. Gas Dispersion Models and Explosion Effect Contours/Zones).

Risk Management is: Defining Appropriate Interventions/Measures, Preventing Hazard Release/Exposure in Priority Ranking; 1.) Eliminating the Hazard, (obviously best option if possible), 2.) Defining Multiple and Appropriate Measures to contain the Hazard, (Strong Layers of Barriers in-between the Hazard and Vulnerable Objects), 3.) Defining Measures to Mitigate a Potential Consequence if the Incident Would Unexpectedly Materialize/Really Happen, (e.g. Water sprinklers mitigating the consequences of a Fire).

The TOP principle should be used for Risk Reduction Measures:

Technical measures, (e.g. Improving Equipment/Facilities, Tools, Safe Guards, Automated Process Control Systems),

Organizational measures, (e.g. Training, Procedures, Organization of Work),

Protective measures, (e.g. Personal Protective Equipment such as breathing apparatus).

Most often All Three TOP measures are Needed In Combination, (Multiple Layers of Protection/Strong Barriers in-between the Hazard and the Vulnerable Object).

Theo van der Smeede, Safety Management Professional