What is an Acceptable risk ?

tex k

any action taken by any person carries an element of risk for example crossing the road . there is a risk of tripping or stumbling on a kerb stone when either stepping down or stepping up there is a risk from moving traffic ( I have seen people cross a pelican crossing when the green man illuminates without so much as a glance they don't know that a criminal may be using that road and will just fly through a red light) .there is a risk of collision with other pedestrians in both directions (behind and in front).Uneven road surfaces, ice ,oil and litter can all produce slippery conditions.light conditions or fog are other hazards that need to be taken into account. there are probably other risks that I haven't mentioned here. In summary an acceptable risk is a risk that has been assessed and any risks posed have been identified and action taken to minimise danger to the worker or public

UCANTCME

The term "acceptable risk" describes the likelihood of an event whose probability of occurrence is small, whose consequences are so slight, or whose benefits (perceived or real) are so great, that individuals or groups in society are willing to take or be subjected to the risk that the event might occur.

http://www.enotes.com/public-health-encyclopedia/acceptable-risk

Stephen L

Lower than 50%?

Mind you, I am one of those people who, on seeing those signs that say "3 accidents in 5 years", thinks, "That's pretty good odds" and doesn't slow down.

Whatever you do, don't ask Ben Fogle to do the risk assessment.

Michael H

The risk of a plane crash happening is an acceptable risk because its mitigated by design, test, training and procedures.

risk is a measure of probability and impact. If the gain of the activity is far greater than the probablilty or impact of a particular failure then the risk could be worth taking, and therefore "acceptable".

if you are interested in project management, i suggest you check out the "project Management Institute" at pmi.org

tilly_toto

Lets say I organise a gathering of 1000 people on a dark night in a small town (a Christmas lights switch on etc). Simply by putting together 1000 I run a small risk that one of these people might get injured or there might be a health and safety problem.(general hustle and bustle etc) However the majority of H&S experts would agree that it's an acceptable risk as people want to see the event and therefore the gain outways the risk. However if I then decide that to switch on my lights I'm going to leave cables all over the floor the risk becomes unacceptable - in other words I've increased the chances of an accident through my behaviour. If I tape up the cables etc I am usually seen to have minimised the possibility of an accident from the steps I originally took (laying cables) and therefore it would probably become an acceptable risk once again.

Your question about the source is slightly confusing but perhaps this helps - my 1000 guests run the risk of an accident at my gathering but it' quite unlikely they would be the source of the risk - the source might be poor lighting (if you put 1000 people in a small area and turn off the lights you're fairly likely to get some stumbling or worse) If I serve them all mulled wine I run the risk of them getting drunk and falling over, fighting etc. If it's raining the risk of them tripping and falling increases.
In other words you need to think about the natural situation (location weather etc) and then think about the elements that you have added (lighting, trip hazards, alcohol, flame throwers etc!)

Hope this helps

Cx

(O \ ! / O) 67 Bug boi

An acceptable risk is better than the consequence of not taking the risk.

M&M

Example:

There is a risk of damaging inner organs while wearing a seat belt in an accident.

However, not wearing one might have you fly through the windshield or get flung throughout the vehicle during the accident and most likely DIE>

So, get injured wearing a seat belt, or Die.

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