RISK REDUCTION DECISION-MAKING

Format to present risk assessment results for the purpose of risk reduction decision-making. 

Figure 5.10 Risk reduction decision-making under the systems framework...

Safe use exceptions could apply to any use that does not result in significant contributions to environmental risks resulting from specific (i.e., point) sources. Equally, safe use exceptions to risk reduction decision-making would limit the number of consumer or professional uses subject to any given risk reduction strategy. This would apply to most industrial uses of the substances reviewed under the official EU risk assessment reports. The systems framework would therefore have avoided the need first for industry to report and then for regulators to review this information. The concept of permissible uses appears particularly relevant for the use of NP and NPE in spermicides and the use of penta-BDE in aircraft emergency evacuation systems [515]. 

Population and individual risk can be determined in the same manner as discussed in Chapter 4. These risk measurements can then be compared with risk tolerance criteria, or decision methodologies can be used, to assist in making risk-reduction decisions about process plant buildings. 

As a practical matter, risk reduction should always be considered before proceeding with QRA. If the cost of proposed risk-reduction measures is high, a detailed QRA may be justified. In this event, various risk-reduction options can be evaluated to determine which options produce the greatest benefit at the lowest cost. Additional guidance on risk-based decision making is available in the CCPS s Tools for Making Acute Risk Decisions with Chemical Process Apphcations (Ref. 77). 

As discussed in Chapter 4, some risk-based decision making can benefit by the development of tolerance criteria for the various types of risk to which building occupants may be exposed. When identified risks are higher than what can be deemed tolerable, they should be eliminated or reduced to control the company s risk exposure. The process of risk identification and evaluation, comparison to tolerance criteria, and elimination or reduction of intolerably high risk is known as risk management. Figure 6.1 illustrates this process. Application of these tolerance criteria helps protect building occupants and ensure that resources are appropriately applied. 

Deciding which risk-reduction method to use maybe difficult. In many instances, appropriate decisions can be made without resorting to quantitative techniques. However, in some cases, particularly when the options are costly, quantitative risk analysis (QRA) and risk-based decision-making approaches may be an effective basis for measuring the improvement in safety arising from the proposed options. These approaches can also be used in prioritizing safety improvements and balancing cost and production issues. 

The analysis of a risk—that is, its estimation—leads to the assessment of that risk and the decision-making processes of selecting the appropriate level of risk reduction. In most studies this is an iterative process of risk analysis and risk assessment until the risk is reduced to some specified level. The subjec t of acceptable or tolerable levels of risk that coiild be applied to decision making on risks is a complex subject which will not oe addressed in this section. 

For all risk measures it is possible to estimate the risk level of the current process as well as the risk levels from incorporation of various risk reduction alternatives. Management can then use this information as an important input in the final risk decision-making process. 

The process by which the results of a risk analysis (i.e., risk estimates) are used to make decisions, either through relative ranking of risk-reduction strategies or through comparison with risk targets... 

PRIO is a web-based tool intended to be used to preventively reduce risks to human health and the environment from chemicals. The aim of PRIO is to facilitate in the assessment of health and environmental risks of chemicals so that people who work as environmental managers, purchasers and product developers can identify the need for risk reduction. To achieve this PRIO provides a guide for decision-making that can be used in setting risk reduction priorities. 

In outcome 1, no need exists to resort to risk reduction or QRA. In outcome 2, the major contributors to the risk have been identified and can be remedied at reasonable cost, and again QRA is not necessary. In outcome 3, either the contributor to the risk is not well defined or the cost to reduce the risk is unacceptably high. In this case, the insight provided by QRA can provide additional guidance in making risk-based decisions. 

Understanding fire hazards is essential to risk reduction and fire protection decision-making. A fire hazard analysis (FHA) is a tool used to understand fire hazards. The process of quantifying the fire hazard is typically motivated by the need to determine the overall hazard of a process or facility or to have a decision-making tool for fire protection systems (Chapter 6). An FHA is an important element of a risk assessment and can also be used as a stand-alone hazard evaluation tool. 

In order to make justified risk management decisions, the first step is to classify the risks. This is often not an easy task. There is a balance between acceptability of a risk (both socially and regulatory based) and the chance that it occurs. In the case of allergen cross-contamination, this latter aspect is a crucial factor as risk management often focuses on reduction of the chance rather than avoidance. 

Environmental quality standards for chemical substances in groundwater and soil are important for many soil quality decisions. Examples include emission reduction measures during the marketing authorization of chemicals, soil and land use decision making and risk management, as well as soil remediation. 

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