Hi everybody:
I'll have to see the video at home, since Vimeo is blocked by my school district. However, Daniel Kuespert's post grabbed my attention,
and this issue of severity and probability comes up in my district all the time.
I usually illustrate the distinction with a hazard analysis of books in a library. There are several hazards, but the ones I illustrate
are
Paper cut
Fire.
A paper cut has an extremely high probabilityÑit's going to happen sooner or later! But the severity is low enough that a first aid
kit (with band-aids and possibly a disinfectant) is an appropriate safety action.
A fire is unlikely without an ignition sourceÑlow probability. However, if a fire happens, the severity is extremeÑproperty damage,
loss of life. So, as low as the probability is, the severity warrants an ABC fire extinguisher to be present.
We in the K-12 world run into trouble when administrators only consider probability without considering severity in risk assessment.
As a result, the phrase, "we haven't had a problem with that in all the years I've been around, why am I going to spend money onÉ(eyewash, smaller class size, removal of legacy chemicals, take your pick)?"
And the problem doesn't happen. Until the day it does.
Occasionally, we get the administrator who says, "we haven't had a problem, and I intend to keep it that way," and shells out the money
for safety equipment, training, and hazardous waste disposal.
In 24 years, I have yet to hear such an administrator express buyer's remorse. I've heard several tell me they sleep better at night
though.
Eddie McGrath
Edward J. McGrath
Supervisor of Science
Red Clay Consolidated School District
1502 Spruce Avenue
Wilmington, DE 19805
(302) 552-3768
We did not inherit the Earth from our parents. We borrowed it from our children.
From: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety [mailto:DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU]
On Behalf Of Daniel Kuespert
Sent: Tuesday, May 01, 2018 1:44 PM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Draft lab risk assessment video comments requested
Excellent video. Describing a risk assessment as a kind of "prioritized" hazard assessment is a great way to make it understandable.
I do take a little issue with describing risk as essentially a measure of probability alone. Not to be pedantic about risk = F(probability, severity), but I think there are situations when thinking of risk solely as probability or likelihood
might lead people astray. Really bad outcomes, even if extremely unlikely, should have measures taken to prevent them. For one thing, the history of catastrophic incidents indicates that people tend to underestimate the probability of such incidents, or let
their layers of protection gradually degrade until the probability becomes higher.
Daniel Reid Kuespert, PhD, CSP
With the support of the ACS's Innovative Project Grant program for technical divisions, DCHAS has been working with Timothy Gallagher of the University of Bristol and a video artist to develop a short video on the the topic of laboratory
risk assessments and maintaining situational awareness as work proceeds. We are nearing the end of the editing process; the current draft is available for viewing at
https://vimeo.com/260598497
with a password of: lab
I'd appreciate any comments or questions DCHAS members have about the video by Thursday of this week.
Let me know if you have any questions about this.
- Ralph
Ralph Stuart, CIH, CCHO
membership**At_Symbol_Here**dchas.org
Membership chair
American Chemical Society
Division of Chemical Health and Safety
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