Hazard, Risk & Safety - Understanding Risk Assessment, Management and Perception

Summary

This script distinguishes between 'hazard' and 'risk,' illustrating how a hazardous substance like Potassium Dichromate can be safe when managed correctly, while a seemingly harmless one like flour can pose significant risk with prolonged exposure. It emphasizes the importance of evaluating risk through factors like exposure levels and duration. The script also discusses the challenges in quantifying certain risks, the application of the precautionary principle in policy-making, and the management of risk through exposure limitation and prevention. It concludes by highlighting the influence of risk perception on decision-making and the role of accessible information in forming opinions.

Takeaways

• ⚠️ Hazard and risk are not synonymous; a hazard is a potential to cause harm, while risk is the likelihood of harm occurring under specific conditions.
• 🔬 Potassium Dichromate, despite being a hazardous substance, presents little risk when properly contained and managed, illustrating that hazards can be controlled.
• 🌾 Flour, typically not seen as hazardous, can pose significant health risks like dermatitis and asthma when inhaled over time, showing that even low-hazard substances can have high risk.
• 📊 Risk assessment involves considering exposure levels, frequency, and duration, which are crucial in determining the potential harm from a hazard.
• 🧪 Toxicological research helps to identify harmful properties of substances and establish safe exposure limits, which are vital for risk evaluation.
• 🌐 Complex systems like climate change or emerging technologies like nano-materials pose challenges in risk quantification due to measurement and systemic complexity.
• 🏛️ The precautionary principle is applied when there's uncertainty or lack of consensus on risk levels, advocating for action to prevent potential harm even without definitive proof.
• ⚖️ The Proportionality Principle suggests that precautionary measures should be balanced with the potential risk and re-evaluated with new data, reflecting a legal and ethical approach to risk management.
• 🛡️ Risk management strategies include limiting exposure and adopting risk-reduction measures, with prevention being a key element in reducing risk.
• 🌍 Acceptable safety levels vary globally due to cultural, socio-economic, and sector-specific factors, making risk perception and management context-dependent.
• 🧠 Public perception of risk can be influenced by emotional responses and media portrayal, sometimes diverging from statistical evidence, complicating political decision-making.

Q & A

What is the difference between 'hazard' and 'risk' as defined in the script?

A 'hazard' is the potential to cause harm, while 'risk' is the likelihood of harm occurring in defined circumstances.

Why is Potassium Dichromate considered a hazardous substance?

Potassium Dichromate is considered hazardous because it is both toxic and carcinogenic.

How can the risk associated with Potassium Dichromate be minimized?

The risk associated with Potassium Dichromate can be minimized by using it in a sealed tube, thus presenting little or no risk to people or the environment.

What health issues can prolonged exposure to airborne flour cause?

Prolonged exposure to airborne flour can cause dermatitis, conjunctivitis, rhinitis, and even asthma.

How does the level of exposure influence risk?

The level of exposure influences risk by determining the probability of harm, considering factors like how, where, how much, and how long one is exposed to the hazard.

What role does toxicological research play in risk evaluation?

Toxicological research maps the potentially harmful properties of a product and can set a limit under which exposure will have no effect, helping to calculate risk based on exposure frequency, conditions, and length.

What is the precautionary principle as mentioned in the script?

The precautionary principle suggests taking measures to prevent potential irreversible damage to health or the environment, even if the definite proof or causal link is not yet formally established with absolute certainty.

How should precautionary decisions be made according to the script?

Precautionary decisions should be proportional to the potential but uncertain risk and be reevaluated when new data becomes available.

What methods can be used to manage risk?

Risk can be managed by limiting exposure to a danger and by adopting risk-reduction measures such as safety regulations and technological advancements.

Why is it important to consider the perception and acceptance of risk?

The perception and acceptance of risk are important because they can be emotional and rational, influencing political decisions and public behavior, even when they may not align with statistical evidence.

How does GreenFacts help non-specialists understand scientific reports on risk?

GreenFacts provides faithful summaries of scientific reports, making technical language accessible to non-specialists so they can build their own informed opinions.

Outlines

00:00

🔍 Understanding Hazard and Risk

This paragraph clarifies the difference between 'hazard' and 'risk'. A hazard is defined as the potential to cause harm, while risk is the probability of harm occurring under specific conditions. The paragraph uses Potassium Dichromate and flour as examples to illustrate how a hazardous substance can pose little risk with proper handling and how a seemingly low-hazard substance can present significant risk under certain conditions. It emphasizes the importance of considering factors like exposure level, frequency, and duration when evaluating risk. The concept of the precautionary principle is introduced, which suggests taking action to prevent potential harm even when there is no absolute proof of risk. The paragraph also touches on the challenges of quantifying risk, especially in complex systems or when measurement tools are lacking, and the need for proportionality in risk management decisions.

05:01

📚 Bridging the Gap: Making Scientific Reports Accessible

The second paragraph discusses the challenge of making scientific reports on risk assessment accessible to non-specialists. It points out that these reports are often written in technical language, which can be difficult for the general public to understand. GreenFacts is mentioned as an organization that provides summaries of these reports, making the information more accessible and allowing non-specialists to form their own opinions based on the summarized data. This service is crucial for promoting informed decision-making and public understanding of risk-related issues.

Keywords

💡Hazard

A hazard refers to a source of potential danger or harm. In the context of the video, it is something that has the intrinsic capability to cause harm, such as a toxic chemical. The script uses the example of Potassium Dichromate, a toxic and carcinogenic substance, to illustrate a hazard. Despite its hazardous nature, when sealed in a tube for analyzing exhaled breath, it presents little risk due to proper management.

💡Risk

Risk is defined as the likelihood or probability of harm occurring in specific circumstances. The video distinguishes risk from hazard by emphasizing that risk is about the chance of a hazard causing harm, which is influenced by exposure levels. The script contrasts the hazard of Potassium Dichromate with the risk associated with flour, which, despite being considered low hazard, can pose substantial risk if inhaled over time, leading to respiratory issues.

💡Safety

Safety in the video pertains to the state of being protected from harm or risk. It is discussed in relation to how certain measures can make activities safer, such as driving with seatbelts and airbags. The video suggests that acceptable safety levels are not universal and can vary based on cultural, socio-economic, and regional factors.

💡Toxicological Research

Toxicological research is the study of the harmful effects of chemicals, biological agents, or physical substances on living organisms. The video mentions that this research can identify the harmful properties of a substance and establish safe exposure limits, which are crucial for calculating risk and managing safety.

💡Exposure

Exposure in the video refers to the contact or proximity to a hazard, which can be a determinant of risk. The level of exposure—how much, how long, and under what conditions—is a critical factor in evaluating risk. The script uses the example of a baker exposed to airborne flour, which, despite being a low hazard, can lead to health issues due to prolonged exposure.

💡Precautionary Principle

The precautionary principle is a decision-making approach that suggests taking preventive action in the face of uncertainty. The video quotes the EU's communication on this principle, stating that if there is a serious expectation of potential harm, measures should be taken even without absolute proof. This principle is highlighted as a guide for policymakers when risk levels are not clearly defined.

💡Proportionality Principle

The proportionality principle, as mentioned in the video, is a legal concept that decisions should be proportionate to the potential risk. It is emphasized that precautionary decisions should be balanced with the uncertain risk and reevaluated with new data, ensuring that actions are not overly restrictive without justification.

💡Risk Management

Risk management in the video is the process of limiting exposure to hazards and implementing measures to reduce risk. It is discussed as a proactive approach to safety, with examples such as speed limits and driver assistance systems in cars. The video suggests that risk management should be based on factual data and scientific research to ensure effective and reasonable safety measures.

💡Acceptable Safety Levels

Acceptable safety levels are the thresholds of risk deemed tolerable by a society, culture, or regulatory body. The video points out that these levels can vary greatly depending on location, culture, and socio-economic status. It also notes that determining these levels involves both technical assessments and political decisions, as seen with the example of DDT, where its safety limit must balance its importance in disease control and food security.

💡Risk Perception

Risk perception is the subjective judgment of how risky a situation or activity is. The video discusses how risk perception can differ from actual risk, influenced by emotions and rational thinking. It gives the example of flying being perceived as riskier than driving, despite statistical evidence to the contrary. The video emphasizes the importance of basing decisions on factual information rather than on perceptions that may be influenced by media sensationalism or incomplete scientific studies.

💡GreenFacts

GreenFacts is mentioned in the video as an organization that provides summaries of scientific reports, making technical information accessible to non-specialists. This is important for the video's theme as it relates to the broader discussion on the importance of understanding and managing risk based on accurate and accessible information.

Highlights

Hazard and risk are often used interchangeably, but they have distinct meanings.

Hazard refers to the potential to cause harm, while risk is the likelihood of harm occurring under specific conditions.

Potassium Dichromate is a hazardous substance that can be managed to present little or no risk when used properly.

Flour, considered low hazard, can present substantial risk if inhaled over time, leading to health issues like dermatitis and asthma.

Risk evaluation involves considering exposure levels, frequency, conditions, and duration.

Toxicological research helps to determine safe exposure limits for various substances.

Some risks are difficult to quantify due to system complexity or lack of measurement tools.

The precautionary principle is applied when there is no consensus on risk levels, advocating for caution.

Risk management strategies include limiting exposure and adopting risk-reduction measures.

Prevention, such as implementing safety measures in driving, can reduce risk effectively.

Acceptable safety levels vary based on cultural, socio-economic, and regional factors.

Determining an acceptable safety level is both a technical and political decision.

Risk perception is influenced by both emotional and rational factors and can be resistant to change.

Media portrayal can significantly influence public perception of risk, sometimes without solid scientific backing.

It's crucial to base political decisions on factual information rather than opinions.

GreenFacts provides accessible summaries of scientific reports to help non-specialists form informed opinions.

Transcripts

Hazard, Risk & Safety

We all hear these terms on a daily basis. So and so a chemical, physical or a biological

agent poses a risk; This or that product is a hazard or behaving a certain way is unsafe.

A lot of the time “hazard” and “risk” are freely used to mean the same thing. However

they are not. Hazard is the potential to cause harm. Risk

on the other hand is the likelihood of harm in defined circumstances.

But what does this actually mean? Let’s look at two examples

First, Potassium Dichromate: it sounds scary and it is indeed a hazardous substance that

is both toxic and carcinogenic. It is used in some cases to analyse exhaled

breath for alcohol. For this purpose it is sealed in a tube. Therefore although it is

intrinsically a hazardous substance, if used and managed as described, it presents little

or no risk to people or the environment. Now let’s look at the opposite case. Flour

would not be considered by many to be a hazardous substance. However, if a baker were to be

exposed over a period of time to airborne flour, he/she could develop dermatitis, conjunctivitis,

rhinitis and even asthma. So even something that is considered a low

hazard can present substantial risk and vice versa.

Risk is always a probability, influenced by the level of exposure. To evaluate the risk

we have to take many factors into consideration. How, where, how much and how long one can

be exposed to the hazard are all things to be taken into account.

Toxicological research can map the potentially harmful properties of a product, be it chemical,

physical or biological and it can also set a limit under which exposure will have no

effect. Based on this research, a risk can be calculated

based on frequency, conditions and length of exposure.

However, some types of risks are hard to quantify, either because of the complexity of a system,

like in the case of climate change, or because we still lack some of the tools to measure

it, like in the case of nano-materials. When there is no consensus on the level of

risk, policy makers sometimes who have the responsibility to decide on safety levels

apply a precautionary principle. “When sufficiently established elements

suggest that an activity is seriously expected to potentially produce irreversible damage

to health or the environment, measures should be taken even if the definite proof or the

causal link is not yet formally established with absolute certainty.” (Communication

of the EU in 2000) It is best to err on the side of caution.

Nevertheless, the precautionary decisions should remain proportional to this potential

but uncertain risk, and be reevaluated when new data become available.

Indeed The Proportionality Principle is and should be at the base of most legal thinking.

Now, how can we manage a risk? Risk can thus be managed by limiting exposure

to a danger and by the adoption of risk-reduction measures.

Prevention might be a better idea to reduce risk. For example driving has been made safer

by speed limits, the use of seatbelts, bumpers, airbags, driver assistance systems etc.

But what is considered safe? Acceptable safety levels greatly depend on where you are on

the planet, culture, socio-economic criteria and the sector. Similarly, the safety limit

adopted for a pesticide like DDT has to be balanced with its importance in safeguarding

health or food resources in some regions of the world. For each specific case, an acceptable

safety level has to be determined. This is thus not only a technical, but also a “political”

decision. Even if the previous steps are logical, what

is considered safe has to take into account the perception and acceptance of risk. These

tend to be emotional and rational at the same time. For example flying is commonly considered

a greater risk than driving although all statistics point to the contrary.

Moreover, once a perception of risk sets in, it is very hard to change. Even if all evidence

points to the opposite. For example: fear can be fuelled by debatable

science and poor or even sensationalist interpretation of a study by the media. A very limited study

that indicates that Substance A could be harmful to mice and would merit further research quickly

turns into a ‘Substance A kills’ headline. Once fear sets in, even if risk is not proven,

the precautionary principle is often pulled out of the hat.

In a nutshell, risk and perception of risk are not always aligned;

this can make political decisions difficult to make,

in these cases it is especially important to base them on facts rather than on opinions.

These facts can be gathered from scientific reports published by reference institutions,

but these reports are often written in a technical language that is not accessible to anyone

but the specialists. GreenFacts offers faithful summaries of those reports so that non-specialists

can get the information they need to build their own opinion.