Construction of Risk

A wide range of literature is available on the subject of risk perception. For a brief overview, readers are referred to Risk and Modern Society edited by Lofstedt and Frewer (1998). For a detailed investigation with respect to social constructions of risk, a collection of writings from prominent authors is presented in Social Theories of Risk edited by Krimsky and Golding (1992). 

Mazur, A Hazardous Inquiry, pp. 11-15 J. A. Tarr and C. Jacobson, Environmental Risk in Historical Perspective, in B. B. Johnson and V. T. Cov-ello, The Social and Cultural Construction of Risk (Reidel, Dordrecht, 1988), pp. 317-344 Wagner, Hazardous Waste. ... 

This has therefore contributed to a shared understanding of risk within the construction site environment as something time-consuming and irrelevant. This is reinforced by the continued prioritisation of safety on sites through safety management systems as explored in Chapter 4, and as a result the constructs of risks and hazards further diminish in the dialogue. 

Dake K (1992) Myths of nature cultural and social construction of risk. J Soc Issues 48(4) 21-37... 

Fowlkes, Martha, and Patricia Miller. Chemicals and Community at Love Canal. In The Social and Cultural Construction of Risk, edited by Branden Johnson and Vincent Covello, 55-80. Dordrecht, the Netherlands D. Reidel, 1987. 

The decision-making process of the SRB Working Group The construction of risk... 

Note. The massive construction of the bomb and its casing makes the risk of an explosion almost negligible. As an additional precaution... 

Essentially, the pH is controlled to suppress the hydrogen evolution cathodic reaction- The Pourbaix Diagram for iron indicates that high pH values as well as low values may lead to corrosion. The construction of these diagrams for higher than ambient temperatures - shows how the area of the alkaline zones increases considerably under boiler conditions, so that the risk of corrosion is correspondingly higher. Many feed systems contain copper alloys. 

Beryllium is obtained by electrolytic reduction of molten beryllium chloride. The element s low density makes it useful for the construction of missiles and satellites. Beryllium is also used as windows for x-ray tubes because Be atoms have so few electrons, thin sheets of the metal are transparent to x-rays and allow the rays to escape. Beryllium is added in small amounts to copper the small Be atoms pin the Cu atoms together in an interstitial alloy that is more rigid than pure copper but still conducts electricity well. These hard, electrically conducting alloys are formed into nonsparking tools for use in oil refineries and grain elevators, where there is a risk of explosion. Beryllium-copper alloys are also used in the electronics industry to form tiny nonmagnetic parts and contacts that resist deformation and corrosion. 

Today s situation is virtually the reverse. No new nuclear power plants are under construction in countries that have a competitive electricity market Also, because of World Bank and other lenders reluctance to assist construction of nuclear plant, there are questions how many of the 25 or so reactors, now under construction, will be completed. In countries where public opinion matters, people perceive the risks, but see few benefits, whilst the electricity industry and governments, with a few exceptions, such as France and S. Korea, are too concerned about the vociferous opposition to this power source to do anything, but sit on... 

A real advance in the construction of delay detonators was made by Eschbach, who introduced delay compositions which evolved so little gas that there was no longer need to vent the detonator. This eliminated risk of pre-ignition of high explosive and also made it possible to provide fully waterproofed assemblies which gave delay times much more regular because of the removal of variable venting effects. Delay detonators of this type have now virtually superseded all others. 

The main risk in the manufacture of propellants is that of fire and only in isolated circumstances is there also a detonation risk. A common construction of a building is therefore of reinforced concrete, and frequently one single building contains a number of compartments separated by strong partition walls. Each compartment will, however, have a blow-out panel of large size and flimsy construction. Should a fire occur the panel blows out and prevents any build up of pressure which could cause the deflagration to become more severe. 

In this Section the risk coverage area of events preceding recent accidents is determined. To construct this risk coverage area a number of recent accidents (1995-2002) are discussed. The events present in recent accident trajectories are identified and their risk coverage area is determined. 

As can be seen, the real cause of most accidents is what might be classified as human errors. Most people have good intentions to perform a function properly, but where shortcuts, easier methods or considerable economic gain opportunities appear or present themselves, human vulnerability usually succumbs to the temptation. Therefore it is prudent in any organization, especially where high risk facilities are operated, to have a system in place to conduct considerable independent checks, inspections, and safety audits of the design and construction of the installation. 

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