PubMed Health⌕ Search
Home/Archive/PubMed

PubMed · 11577826

Tolerable risk guidelines.

E M Marszal
View original source ↗Export metadata ↓

Abstract

Safety instrumented systems (SIS) should be designed to reduce the amount of risk in a process to a tolerable level. Expressing the tolerable level of risk is one of the most difficult tasks facing organizations trying to comply with the standards that govern SIS use. Organizations are basing their risk decision-making criteria on a variety of benchmarks including industry standards, local and foreign government regulations, practices of industry partners, and a qualitative assessment of what is fair and reasonable. This paper explores the ways that industry and government have made decisions on what risks are tolerable. The paper begins by reviewing qualitative criteria that are evaluated to determine what amount of risk can reasonably be tolerated. The paper also reviews some methods that have been used in government and industry to include financial aspects into the decision-making process. It then proceeds to review some of the quantitative ways that risk is represented. After discussing risk presentation, the paper reviews and compares tolerable risk guidelines that have been set by government and industry. The paper concludes by comparing the amount of risk reduction that can be justified by sociopolitical tolerability guidelines and that which can be justified by cost-benefit analysis.

Explore related subjects

Accidents, OccupationalCost-Benefit AnalysisEthicsHumansIndustryProbabilityRisk AssessmentSafetyUnited StatesValue of LifeJournal Article

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeXRIS

E M Marszal. 2001. Tolerable risk guidelines.. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0019-0578(01)00011-8

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related citations

PubMed2003

Minimizing impairment in laborers with finger losses distal to the proximal interphalangeal joint by second toe transfer.

Traditionally, toe-to-hand transfers have been reserved for thumb amputations or for use after severe mutilating injuries. The authors report their experience with the use of second toe-for-finger amputations with preserved or reconstructible proximal interphalangeal joints in manual workers. The aim of the procedure was to reduce impairment and to upgrade the hand from a functional and cosmetic standpoint. Fifteen second-toe wrap-around or variations were carried out on 11 adults (18 to 41 years old). Four patients with two or more finger amputations received two sequential second toes; four patients with two finger amputations received one toe; and each of three patients with single-digit amputation received a single toe. All but one amputation were performed less than 3 weeks after the accident. All toes survived. Range of motion at the native proximal interphalangeal joint was more than 90 percent in all patients but one; however, it was minimal at the transplanted joints. Patient satisfaction was high from a cosmetic and functional standpoint. Ten of 11 laborers resumed their previous activity. On the basis of this experience, a classification with aesthetic and functional implications is proposed to help in the decision-making process when dealing with multidigital injuries. It is concluded that second-toe transfer is an excellent choice for finger amputation distal to the proximal interphalangeal joint in laborers. Its prime indication is for amputations of two fingers where at least one toe should be transferred, as required, to achieve an "acceptable hand" (three-fingered hand). Early transfer allows salvage of critical structures from the damaged finger, such as joints, tendons, and bone, that otherwise would be lost. Early transplantation is highly recommended.

Accidents, Occupational↗
PubMed2003

Cost of work-related injuries in insured workplaces in Lebanon.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the medical and compensation costs of work-related injuries in insured workplaces in Lebanon and to examine cost distributions by worker and injury characteristics. METHODS: A total of 3748 claims for work injuries processed in 1998 by five major insurance companies in Lebanon were reviewed. Medical costs (related to emergency room fees, physician consultations, tests, and medications) and wage and indemnity compensation costs were identified from the claims. FINDINGS: The median cost per injury was US dollars 83 (mean, US dollars 198; range, US dollars 0-16,401). The overall cost for all 3748 injuries was US dollars 742,100 (76% of this was medical costs). Extrapolated to all injuries within insured workplaces, the overall cost was US dollars 4.5 million a year; this increased to US dollars 10 million-13 million when human value cost (pain and suffering) was accounted for. Fatal injuries (three, 0.1%) and those that caused permanent disabilities (nine, 0.2%) accounted for 10.4% of the overall costs and hospitalized injuries (245, 6.5%) for 45%. Cost per injury was highest among older workers and for injuries that involved falls and vehicle incidents. Medical, but not compensation, costs were higher among female workers. CONCLUSION: The computed costs of work injuries--a fraction of the real burden of occupational injuries in Lebanon--represent a considerable economic loss. This calls for a national policy to prevent work injuries, with a focus on preventing the most serious injuries. Options for intervention and research are discussed.

Accidents, Occupational↗