Public Safety and Risk Assessment: Improving Decision Making (Earthscan Risk in Society)

David J. Ball (Professor of Risk Management, Co-Director Centre for Decision Analysis and Risk Management, School of Health and Social Sciences, Middlesex University)

ISBN 10: 1849713812 / ISBN 13: 9781849713818

Published by Taylor & Francis Ltd, United Kingdom, London, 2011

About this Item

This book aims to encourage a more reflective, multidisciplinary approach to public safety, and the 'reenfranchisement' of those affected by this new phenomenon. Over the past decade health and safety has become a major issue of public interest. There are countless stories of health and safety activities interfering with public life, preventing some beneficial activity from taking place even creating absurd or dangerous situations. On the one hand, risk assessment, properly conducted, is highly beneficial it saves lives and prevents injuries. But on the other, it can damage public life. Why has this come about, and does it have to be like that? The authors examine the origins of the problem, look critically at the tools used by safety assessors and their underlying assumptions, and consider important differences between public life and industry (where the approaches largely originated). They illuminate the whole with an analysis of legal requirements, attitudes of stakeholders, and recent research on risk perception and decision making. The result is a profound and important analysis of risk and safety culture and a framework for managing public safety more effectively. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged.

Seller Inventory # GOR006564880

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Public Safety and Risk Assessment: Improving Decision Making (Earthscan Risk in Society)
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd, United Kingdom, London
• Publication Date: 2011
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1849713812
• ISBN 13: 9781849713818
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: Very Good
• Weight: 358 grams

About this title

Synopsis

This book aims to encourage a more reflective, multidisciplinary approach to public safety, and the 'reenfranchisement' of those affected by this new phenomenon. Over the past decade health and safety has become a major issue of public interest. There are countless stories of health and safety activities interfering with public life, preventing some beneficial activity from taking place – even creating absurd or dangerous situations. On the one hand, risk assessment, properly conducted, is highly beneficial – it saves lives and prevents injuries. But on the other, it can damage public life. Why has this come about, and does it have to be like that? The authors examine the origins of the problem, look critically at the tools used by safety assessors and their underlying assumptions, and consider important differences between public life and industry (where the approaches largely originated). They illuminate the whole with an analysis of legal requirements, attitudes of stakeholders, and recent research on risk perception and decision making. The result is a profound and important analysis of risk and safety culture and a framework for managing public safety more effectively.

About the Author

David Ball is Professor of Risk Management and Director of the Centre for Decision Analysis & Risk Management at Middlesex University, UK. Previously he was Director of the Centre for Environmental and Risk Management at the University of East Anglia, and before that worked as a scientist in local and central government and the private sector in Britain and the USA. He is a regular consultant to government departments and regulators as well as international agencies.