SAFETY, RISK AND REGULATION--BASIC CONCEPTS FOR "SAFETY" RISK ANALYSIS

This paper discusses the applicability of risk-based concepts to "safety" problems generally. "Safety" programs exist to fulfill future expectations of people to live out their useful days free of accidental interruption. Utilizing a proposed generalized accident theory, the author describes the probabilistic nature of the existence of the ingredients necessary for an accident to occur, and the effects of man's capability to change such probabilities. An "accident risk" approach to "safety," in terms of the probable accidental reduction in useful life span associated with an activity, is presented. Establishment of an acceptable accident risk level as a "safety" objective, and the effects of risk creation and risk bearing on the establishment of that objective are discussed. "Safety" regulation is described as a risk-setting function, and the implications of that view in terms of "safety" responsibility, authority, and accountability are explained. Effects of a risk-based approach on safety data generation and collection are suggested. Additional research needed to permit implementation of the proposed approach is described.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Proceedings of the Thirteenth Annual Meeting, Transportation Research Forum, Brown Palace Hotel, Denver, Colorado, 8-10 November 1972.
• Corporate Authors:

  Transportation Research Forum

  Brown Palace Hotel
  Denver, CO  United States 
• Authors:
  • Benner Jr, L
• Publication Date: 1972

Media Info

• Serial:
  • Volume: 13
  • Issue Number: 1

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Hazard analysis; Hazardous materials; Regulations; Risk analysis; Safety
• Old TRIS Terms: Government regulations
• Subject Areas: Law; Railroads; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00047943
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transportation Research Forum
• Report/Paper Numbers: Proceeding
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jan 11 1976 12:00AM