170
12 Consequences
NB: we have edited the above text to eliminate a misleading confusion between risks
and consequences. We have quoted the term “at risk” for the same reasons.
As stated earlier, we contend this siloed vision of risk assessments. The hazard
and risk register (i.e., the database that contains all the information on the elements,
impinging hazards, probabilities consequences) should be maintained silo-free and
general. This will make it possible to drill out information through the life of the
system without ever wasting any information.
12.1 Dimensions of Failures
Each risk assessment requires the definition of consequences for the various scenarios
considered for each specific element of the system under consideration. As stated
in Sect. 7.6, consequences are multidimensional and the final result is the sum of
the various dimensional components. It is a serious mistake to “select” the worst
dimension as the value for the consequence, as it is oftentimes suggested in risk
assessments instructions to prepare FMEA, risk matrix approaches.
Here is a list of four dimensions identified for various real-life studies with their
(also additive) sub-components:
Direct physical losses:
• Fixed equipment
• Mobile equipment
• Infrastructures
• Business interruption
Health and Safety: (none of these include chronic effects—see environmental)
• Harm to workers
• Harm to outsiders
Environmental: (if dust and other by-products, for example contaminated water, are
released at code limit values we generally assume there are no chronic effects)
• Water releases
• Tailings releases
• Hazardous materials releases
• Dust releases
Reputational Damages. These will arise for example from:
• chronic releases—for example in high-density residential areas—of materials
which are perceived as hazardous, even if they are code compliant;
• incidents and accidents that destabilize the public;
12 Consequences
NB: we have edited the above text to eliminate a misleading confusion between risks
and consequences. We have quoted the term “at risk” for the same reasons.
As stated earlier, we contend this siloed vision of risk assessments. The hazard
and risk register (i.e., the database that contains all the information on the elements,
impinging hazards, probabilities consequences) should be maintained silo-free and
general. This will make it possible to drill out information through the life of the
system without ever wasting any information.
12.1 Dimensions of Failures
Each risk assessment requires the definition of consequences for the various scenarios
considered for each specific element of the system under consideration. As stated
in Sect. 7.6, consequences are multidimensional and the final result is the sum of
the various dimensional components. It is a serious mistake to “select” the worst
dimension as the value for the consequence, as it is oftentimes suggested in risk
assessments instructions to prepare FMEA, risk matrix approaches.
Here is a list of four dimensions identified for various real-life studies with their
(also additive) sub-components:
Direct physical losses:
• Fixed equipment
• Mobile equipment
• Infrastructures
• Business interruption
Health and Safety: (none of these include chronic effects—see environmental)
• Harm to workers
• Harm to outsiders
Environmental: (if dust and other by-products, for example contaminated water, are
released at code limit values we generally assume there are no chronic effects)
• Water releases
• Tailings releases
• Hazardous materials releases
• Dust releases
Reputational Damages. These will arise for example from:
• chronic releases—for example in high-density residential areas—of materials
which are perceived as hazardous, even if they are code compliant;
• incidents and accidents that destabilize the public;