Risk
- Slovak term: Slovenský termín
- Risk is the possibility of injury, disease or death. For example, for a person who has measles, the risk of death is one in one million. Source: [Oregon State University]
- The likelihood of a hazard causing harm in exposed populations in a specified time frame, including the magnitude of that harm (WHO 2006).
- The probability of an adverse effect in an organism, system, or (sub)population caused under specified circumstances by exposure to an agent (WHO 2004).
- The probability that, in a certain timeframe, an adverse outcome will occur in a person, group of people, plants, animals and/or the ecology of a specified area that is exposed to a particular dose or concentration of a hazardous agent, i.e., it depends on both the level of toxicity of the agent and the level of exposure (Department of Health and Ageing and enHealth Council 2002).
Explanation
Not all risks can be easily assessed using a methodology (e.g. a ‘semi-quantitative’ risk matrix), where a risk is estimated in terms of likelihood of the hazard occurring, and severity of the consequence should the hazard occur. Some risks do not lend themselves to be assessed via narrow definitions of likelihood (e.g. estimated occurrence is ‘monthly’) or consequence (e.g. estimated severity is ‘moderate’ public health impact). For example, potential negative feedback from consumers regarding issues that may not have a significant impact on health may be viewed as a significant risk to a utility’s reputation and therefore should be addressed for the WSP. Sometimes, it may be more appropriate to assess risk in a simplified format (e.g. ‘significant’, ‘non-significant’ or ‘uncertain’) based on a group decision.
Whatever method is used, it is imperative that the risk assessment methodology is sufficiently clear and detailed to allow consistency (WHO/IWA 2009).
Example
References
- WHO (2006) Guidelines for the safe use of wastewater, excreta and greywater
- WHO (2004) IPCS Risk Assessment Terminology
- Department of Health and Ageing and enHealth Council, Commonwealth of Australia. 2002. Health Risk Assessment. Guidelines for assessing human health risks from environmental hazards.
- WHO/IWA (2009) Water Safety Plan Manual: Step by step risk management for drinking-water suppliers
