Hazard information sources factors

Hazard information sources, 71-78. See also Information needs Bretherick s Handbook, 76 Chemical Hazards Response Information System (CHRIS) Manual, 76 factors in, 71-72... 

Risk assessment starts with risk identification, a systematic use of available information to identify hazards (i.e., events or other conditions that have the potential to cause harm). Information can be from a variety of sources including stakeholders, historical data, information from the literature, and mathematical or scientific analyses. Risk analysis is then conducted to estimate the degree of risk associated with the identified hazards. This is estimated based on the likelihood of occurrence and resultant severity of harm. In some risk management tools, the ability to detect the hazard may also be considered. If the hazard is readily detectable, this may be considered a factor in the overall risk assessment. Risk evaluation determines if the risk is acceptable based on specified criteria. In a quality system environment, criteria would include impact on the overall performance of the quality system and the quality attributes of the finished product. The value of the risk assessment depends on how robust the data used in the assessment process is judged to be. The risk assessment process should take into account assumptions and reasonable sources of uncertainty. Risk assessment activities should be documented. 

ABSTRACT Four hundred and sixty seven coal gas explosion accidents that occurred in China between the years of 1950 and 2000 were investigated through statistical methods so as to review the overall situation and provide quantitative information on coal gas explosion accidents. Statistical characteristics about accident-related factors such as space, time, gas accumulation reasons, gas grade, ignition sources, accidents categories, and accident economic loss were analyzed. Some special conclusions have been achieved. For example, most gas explosion accidents were found to have concentricity on the space-time and hazard characteristics. Such results may be helpful to prevent coal gas explosion accidents. Moreover, comments were made on APS (Accident Prevention System) and safety culture. In conclusion, countermeasures were proposed in accordance with the results of statistical studies, including the change of safety check time. 

Information should be gathered from all available sources, for example, witnesses, supervisors, physical conditions, hazard data sheets, written systems of work, training records etc. The amount of time spent should not, however, be disproportionate to the risk. The aim of the investigation should be to explore the situation for possible underlying factors, in addition to the immediately obvious causes of the accident. For example, in an accident involving a faulty scaffold it would not be sufficierrt to conclude that an accident occurred because the scaffold was incorrectly asembled. It is necessary to look into the possible underlying system failure that may have occurred which allowed the scaffold to be sub-standard. 

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