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