Factual Risks

Every project includes different risks which are obstructive for a successful project termination. Different kinds of risks are distinguishable into factual risks, economical risks, and risks regarding the dates. The risk analysis passes three steps (Zimmermann et al. 2010) ... 

First, for each defined sub-system of the project potential risks are identified and analyzed. Normally, qualitative techniques are applied such as expert surveys or brainstorming in order to determine factual risks. For risks regarding dates, stochastic methods such as the PERT method are applied. Economical risks can be evaluated in the context of the profitability analysis. 

None) Factual risks Economical risks Risks regarding the dates... 

The offshore industrial sector "risk picture" is a quite multifaceted one. Therefore, to establish an actual "factual risk picture" is a difficult task due to factors such as follows [4] ... 

A factual statement explaining the reasons for the FSCA, including description of the device deficiency or malfunction, clarification of the potential hazard associated with the continued use of the device and the associated risk to the patient, user or other person. 

Another problem of EGAs is that they are non-site-specific. The reasons for this lie in the fact that they include the whole life cycle of systems with resources which may originate in different countries and waste products and emissions which may distribute globally. They deal with factual inputs, outputs and the environmental impact potentials of the system under investigation on a global, and, in some cases, regional scale. Yet, they do not address the intrinsic risks resulting from the system itself. However, a combination with risk assessment methods can be used to close this gap. 

This inconsistency also applies to our perception of risk associated with medicinal products, even though most are remarkably safe. This is not the impression given by reports in the popular press and in television programmes which purport to provide the public with a factual view of medicine but which in fact emphasise the most sensational aspects and spread alarm. A useful review of safety and risk may be found in The BMA Guide to Living with Risk, which brings into perspective the dangers encountered in everyday life. 

All decisions involve tradeoffs. Does the benefit of a pesticide that will increase the availability of food outweigh a possible health risk to one person in 1 million Do the beneficial effects of a new drug outweigh a potentially dangerous side effect in a small number of users The answers aren t always obvious, but we should try to keep our responses on a factual level rather than an emotional one. 

The summary should avoid any editorial promotion of the product, i.e., it should be a factual summary of safety and effectiveness data and a neutral analysis of these data. The summary should include an annotated copy of the proposed labeling, a discussion of the product s benefits and risks, a description of the foreign marketing history of the drug (if any), and a summary of each technical section. 

Risk communication is the exchange of information and opinions concerning risk and risk-related factors among risk assessors, risk managers, consumers and other interested parties. The goals of this communication are to describe risks and benefits, to conduct a fair and factually oriented debate about different types of actions, and to find solutions for conflicts between stakeholders. 

The first level is to provide factual, scientific information to the public. It is the duty of the risk conununicator to explain the assessment tools and results, and to clear the uncertainties in a way that the public may develop a better undostanding of the risks. In terms of substance, the aim is to communicate facts and knowledge. This requites both, a high scientific expertise and the ability to translate technical information into a common sense language. 

If access is denied, it should be clearly explained as to why (e.g. public health risks, interference with caring for the sick and injured, safety issues, and so forth) and a plan to provide ongoing communication to media outside inaccessible areas made where possible. In that manner, denying physical access doesn t mean denying access to information (L. Barrett, personal communication, 2006). Evidence strongly suggests that media coverage is more factual when reporters have more information (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2006). 

The propriety of this kind of mental leaping is one of the most controversial aspects of toxic tort and occupational disease cases, where causation often cannot be properly formulated as a yes-or-no fact. Instead, parties rely on evidence of increased risk or enhanced probability of disease which may or may not be attributable to defendant s conduct. The inquiry becomes one of the existence and magnitude of a fact probability. Therefore, understanding the dual nature of probability, as both a factual statistical quantity (fact probability) and a measure of strength of belief (belief probability), becomes important. Unfortunately, fact probability and belief probability have not been kept analytically distinct. Courts have collapsed the requirements for burden of production and burden of persuasion into one test that blurs plaintiff s twofold task of defining not only the facts or elements to be proved but also the amount of credence to be accorded a fact in support of a finding. When a judge tells a jury that plaintiff must show that causation is more likely than not, she/he risks confusion. Does she/he mean that the fact of causation which plaintiff must prove (burden of production) is not traditional true-or-false (100% vs. 0%)... 

Risk assessments have been performed for a variety of topics, from accidents in the workplace, to lifestyle choices and natural catastrophes. This chapter will focus on evaluating human risk primarily from chemical and radiological exposure. Risk assessment as defined by the National Academy of Science is the use of the factual base to define the health effects of exposure of individuals or populations to hazardous materials and situations. Risk assessment determines if a chemical has a toxic effect, estimates the exposure to this chemical and identifies the adverse effects of the chemical. The combination of the toxicity influenced by the level of exposure estimates what the... 

The critical point for us is the realization that use," abuse," and risk are emotionally charged terms that may be based on hidden determinants or open assumption that cannot be shown to have a factual basts. 

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