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Key Takeaways:
- The definition of ‘acceptable risk’ involves the risk exposure an individual, organization, or society is willing to tolerate.
- Acceptable risks are assessed based on their probability and potential impact.
- The concept of ‘acceptable risk’ acknowledges that it’s often impractical or impossible to reduce risk to zero.
- Acceptable risk levels can significantly vary across different sectors such as infrastructure, transportation, business, and individual activities.
The Intricacies of Acceptable Risk
Risk is an inherent part of life. Whether we are planning a new business venture, designing a public infrastructure project, or simply deciding to snowboard down a steep slope, risk is always involved. In many cases, risks cannot be entirely eliminated due to practical limitations like cost or potential secondary risks. This is where the concept of ‘acceptable risk’ comes into play.
Acceptable risk is the risk exposure that an individual, organization, community, or nation is willing to tolerate. It’s essentially a compromise between the potential benefits of an activity and the possible adverse outcomes. However, determining what constitutes an acceptable risk can be a complex task. In this article, we’ll delve deeper into the nuances of the acceptable risk concept and look at some examples across various sectors.
Acceptable Risk: A Balancing Act
Acceptable risk is defined in terms of the probability and impact of a particular risk. This probability-impact pairing provides a quantifiable way to evaluate and compare risks, which is especially useful when determining how to allocate resources for risk management.
Ideally, no risk would be the most preferable situation. However, this ideal is often unachievable. For instance, while we might wish for a world with no car accidents, eliminating the risk entirely would involve banning all cars, which would have significant practical and economic implications. Thus, an acceptable level of risk must be identified that balances the advantages of an activity against its potential downsides.
Acceptable Risk in Infrastructure
The construction and operation of infrastructure projects, such as buildings, roads, and public shelters, inevitably involve some degree of risk. These risks can stem from various sources, including natural disasters, design flaws, construction errors, and more.
Let’s consider a proposed tsunami shelter constructed to withstand a 12-meter tsunami. Mathematical models suggest that a tsunami larger than this might strike the area once every 1300 years. While there is a risk, it is deemed acceptable due to its low probability and the fact that the shelter can withstand tsunamis up to a significant height. This risk is communicated to the community and accepted as part of the project approval process.
The Transportation Sector’s Take on Acceptable Risk
Risk is an everyday part of the transportation sector, from aviation and shipping to public transit and personal vehicles. Understanding and managing these risks is vital to ensure safety and efficiency.
As an example, consider a jet engine with a historical failure rate of 0.4 per million departures. While this means there’s a chance of engine failure, the probability is extremely low. Therefore, regulators and customers generally view this as an acceptable level of risk. This level of risk acceptance enables the continued use of air travel, which provides substantial benefits in terms of speed and convenience.
Acceptable Risk in Business Operations
Business operations are rife with risks, from supply chain disruptions to market volatility. In many cases, these risks are accepted as part of doing business.
Take, for example, a bicycle manufacturer that depends on a single supplier for tires. The absence of these tires would halt production and result in declining revenue. The probability of a major supply disruption is forecasted to be 0.6% per annum. Despite this potential risk, the company’s management decides to accept it. This decision might be based on factors such as the supplier’s reliability, the quality of the tires, or the difficulty of finding alternative suppliers.
Acceptable Risk at the Individual Level
Just as businesses and organizations assess and accept certain risks, individuals do the same in their personal lives and activities.
Consider a snowboarder who estimates a 20% chance of breaking a bone in a season. Despite this significant risk, they decide it’s acceptable given the rewards they find in the sport—perhaps the adrenaline rush, the physical challenge, or the sheer joy of snowboarding.
Conclusion: The Dance with Risk
Risk is an inherent part of our lives. While we can strive to mitigate, avoid, or transfer risks, it’s often impossible to eliminate them entirely. Therefore, understanding the concept of acceptable risk is crucial. This understanding allows individuals, organizations, and societies to make informed decisions that balance the potential rewards against the possible adverse outcomes.
The definition of acceptable risk is inherently subjective and will vary depending on a host of factors, including the individuals involved, the activity’s nature, and the broader societal context. As we’ve seen, whether it’s deciding to construct a tsunami shelter, fly a plane, manage a single supplier, or even go snowboarding, the concept of acceptable risk plays a crucial role in our decision-making processes.
