In an effort to further counter misconception, and in some cases damaging
mischief-making in parts of the media, the British Health & Safety Executive
(HSE) through its Risk website has launched a set of key principles to define
and promote what it means by 'sensible' risk management.
The HSC urges people to - 'focus on real risks, those that cause real harm and
suffering, and stop concentrating effort on trivial risks and petty health and
safety'.
HSE says Sensible risk management is about:
- Ensuring that workers and the public are properly protected;
- Providing overall benefit to society by balancing benefits and risks, with a
focus on reducing real risks both those which arise more often and those with
serious consequences;
- Enabling innovation and learning, not stifling them;
- Ensuring that those who create risks manage them responsibly and understand
that failure to manage real risks responsibly is likely to lead to robust
action; and
- Enabling individuals to understand that as well as the right to protection,
they also have to exercise responsibility;
but is not about:
- Creating a totally risk-free society;
- Generating useless paperwork mountains;
- Scaring people by exaggerating or publicising trivial risks;
- Stopping important recreational and learning activities for individuals where
the risks are managed; and
- Reducing protection of people from risks that cause real harm and suffering.
Further info
AplusA-online.de - Source: Health & Safety Executive