IENG 461 System Safety I

Lecture 5 Risk Assessment Techniques

James R. Harris, Ph.D., P.E.

Risk Assessment Techniques
Overview of tonights topics
Language of risk
Risk matrix concepts
Haddon Energy Control
Examples

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Risk Assessment Techniques
Language of risk
Hazard:
The potential for harm (ANSI Z590.3 - PtD).
A condition, set of circumstances, or
inherent property that can cause injury,
illness, or death (ANSI Z10 Occupational
Health and Safety Management Systems).
A potential source of harm (ANSI B11.0
Safety of Machinery General Requirements
and Risk Assessment).

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Risk Assessment Techniques
Categories of hazards:
Mechanical motion (in-running nip points,
cutting, shearing), structural strength,
pressure (hydraulic, pneumatic)
Electrical
Chemical flammability, toxicity, material
safety data sheet (MSDS [show website])
Radiation ionizing, non-ionizing - (differences
in energy levels and ability to break molecular
bonds)
Thermal heat and cold

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Risk Assessment Techniques
Language of risk
Risk:
An estimate of the probability of a hazard-related
incident or exposure occurring and the severity of
harm or damage that could result (ANSI Z590.3).
An estimate of the combination of the likelihood of
an occurrence of a hazardous event or
exposure(s), and the severity of injury or illness
that may be caused by the event or exposures
(ANSI Z10).
The combination of the probability of occurrence of
harm and the severity of that harm (ANSI B11.0).

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Risk Assessment Techniques
Language of risk:
Tolerable (acceptable) risk:
That risk for which the probability of an
incident or exposure occurring and the
severity of harm or damage that may result
are as low as reasonably practicable (ALARP)
in the setting being considered (ANSI
Z590.3).
A risk level that is accepted for a given task
(hazardous situation) or hazard (ANSI B11.0)

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Risk of death per
year

Source: HSE
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Risk Assessment Techniques
What is reasonably practicable?:
This can involve a cost/benefit analysis
or comparison
Is there gross disproportion between
cost to reduce risk compared to harm?

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Risk Assessment Techniques
Language of risk:
Residual risk:
The risk remaining after risk reduction
measures have been taken (ANSI Z590.3).
The risk remaining after risk reduction
measures (protective measures) are taken
(ANSI B11.0).

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Source: ANSI B11.0
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Risk Assessment Techniques
Risk scoring MIL-STD 882

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Risk Assessment Techniques
Risk scoring MIL-STD 882

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 Source: MIL-STD 882

Risk Assessment Techniques

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 Source: ANSI Z590.3

Risk Assessment Techniques

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 Source: ANSI B11.0

Risk Assessment Techniques

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Risk Assessment Techniques
Can use spreadsheet to lay out risk
assessment (website)

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Risk Assessment Techniques
Haddon Energy Theory Dr. William Haddon (1970)
techniques for risk reduction through control of energy
transfer
1. Prevent the marshaling (or creation) of the form of energy
(e.g. pressure release devices)
2. Reduce the amount of energy marshaled (e.g. governors to
control speed)
3. Prevent the release of energy (e.g. ground-fault circuit
interrupter)
4. Modify the rate or spatial distribution of release of the
energy from its source (e.g. crash barricades)
5. Separate, in space or time, the energy being released from
that which is susceptible to harm or damage (e.g. separating
hazards chemicals from rest of plant)

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Risk Assessment Techniques
6. Separate, by imposing a material barrier (e.g. lead
apron X-ray protection)
7. Modify appropriately the contact surface, subsurface, or
basic structure, as in eliminating, rounding, softening
corners, edges, and points (e.g. fireplace hearth guard)
8. Strengthen the structure, living or non-living, that
might otherwise be damaged by the energy transfer
(e.g. designing a roof and truss structure for snow load)
9. Move rapidly in detection and evaluation of damage
that has occurred or is occurring, and counter its
continuation or extension (e.g. SawStop)
10.After the emergency period following energy exchange,
stabilize the process (e.g. sprinkler system for fire)

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 Source: ANSI B11.0

Sample Risk Assessment

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Risk Assessment Techniques
Application of risk assessment
Table saw operation:
Tasks: assembly, set up, operation,
maintenance
Hazards:?
Initial risk=?
Risk reduction method=?
Residual risk=?

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Risk Assessment Techniques
Application of risk assessment
PRT operation
Tasks: assembly, set up, operation,
maintenance
Hazards:?
Initial risk=?
Risk reduction method=?
Residual risk=?

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Risk Assessment Techniques
Summary
Risk initial, acceptable (tolerable),
ALARP, residual
Risk matrix concepts probability,
severity
Haddon Energy Control 10 concepts
to use with Hazard Control Hierarchy

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Risk Assessment Techniques
Preview of next week
Exam 1 (1.5 hours for exam, closed
everything, bring calculator)
Homework 2 reminder
Due next week (9/27) by 5:30pm via
email with title as lastname_HW2 (e.g.
Harris_HW2)
Questions?:

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