The risks can be of high probability with low consequences or low probability with high consequences. The latter is more difficult to assess and comprehend.
There are many factors that affect the perception of risk. The following factors result in a perceived increase of a risk:-
- Involuntary exposure
- Lack of personal control over the outcome
- Uncertainty of outcome
- Lack of personal experience of risk
- Delayed effects
- Genetic effects
- Low frequency and high consequences events
- Human rather than natural causes.
Types Of Risk
Unknown Risks: Consequences are either not known or not understood Risks associated with nuclear power and genetic engineering techniques fall under this category.
Concealed or Unconscious Risks: Unobvious risks. Here hazards are not readily detected by senses and people may get false sense of security. Ionizing radiations is an example of such risk.
Conscious Risks : People are aware of hazards and hazards can be detected by senses. People can get warnings and therefore able to take mitigating action. Example:- a firefighter is aware of the risk of getting burned or a chemical loading station operator is aware of toxic risks from the chemical.
Predictable Risks Risk of which probability and consequences can be estimated with some degree of confidence. These risks give enough scope for organizing protection for the people and installation.
Temporary Risks: Risks that are present only for a short interval of time and therefore may be acceptable.
Example:- Risk in maintenance/repair jobs. Risk in crossing a busy road.
Calculated Risks: Predictable risks which are taken knowingly in the larger interest or for some large perceived gain or in some special circumstances. Rescue work, maintenance work on war footings, and adventurous sports are examples.
Societal Risks: The risks affecting society at large, such as environmental damage, and multiple casualties. The accidents like Bhopal, Chornobyl and Seveso are examples of Societal Risks.
Risk Management
- Risk Management addresses the value judgments involved in adopting methods of handling identified risks and deciding the acceptable level of risk.
- The decision about acceptable risk is depending upon specific organizational goals and such goals can be anyone or all of the following:
- Profits and competitive market position
- Protection of company assets uninterrupted company operations
- Continued growth
- Humanitarian concerns (employee and public safety)
- Community goodwill
- Legal requirements
- Insurance requirements
- Environmental concerns.
Precise and accurate Risk Assessment is foundation of Safety Management
We can provide the following services:
Safety Training on the following topics for Workers, Shop floor managers, Top management
- Industrial Safety (Basic Safety)
- HAZOP Study
- Confined Space Entry
- Evacuation mock drill
- Behavior-Based Safety
- Electrical Safety
- Storage, Handling and Transportation of Hazardous Chemicals
- Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment
- Job Safety Analysis
- Plan, Safety Report
- Fault Tree Analysis
- Preliminary Hazard Analysis
- Internal Safety Audit
- Safety and Emergency Preparedness
- Construction Safety (As per BOCW Act,1996)
- Scaffolding Safety
- First Aid
- Fire Safety
Customized Safety Training Programs for l Industries as per company’s need
2-3 days workshops for company employees to make them fully conversant and capable
- HAZOP Study
- Behavior-Based Safety implementation
- Job Safety Analysis, Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment
- Internal Safety Audit as per IS 14489:2018
- Safety Trainers Training
- Occupational Health, Safety & Environment Management
- Audits and study and consultancy
- Safety Audit
- Fire and Safety Audits
- Electrical Safety Audits
- Safety Cultural Survey
- Safety Management -Gap Audits etc.
- HAZOP study
- Risk Assessment study
- Hazardous area Classification study
- D. Preparation of Safety Manuals, Emergency Control Plan, Safety Report
About the Author
A.S. Karmarka
Retired – Chief Engineer ( Safety & Fire )
Hon. Jt. Secretary
National Safety Council (MC) and presently Member Expert Panel National Safety Council
- B.Sc. ( Dist.) AMIE( Chem.)DBM ,ADIS
- Qualified in-Safety Audit, HAZOP, Risk Analysis, Certified Lead Auditor-ISO 14001, OHSAS-18001
- More than 45 years experience in Production , Fire & Safety, Training, Audits
- Trained Employees, Officers Managers, Engineers & TU Members across Indian Industries in Safety including PSM, HAZOP, RA, JSA, BBSM, EMS and OHSAS etc.
