Risk Assessment Methodology for Pit Lakes Instabilities

In this study we present a generic probabilistic risk assessment methodology to evaluate the risk associated with flooding process of a pit. We use the bow-tie analysis to analyze the critical events (we focus on slope failures) and the systemic risk assessment methodology to estimate the risk for the population, for the environment and for the infrastructure. Furthermore, we perform a spatial analysis of the risk by discretizing the affected area into squares, by estimating the risk in each one and finally by creating the risk map. The methodology is implemented by specialized software that has been created in a Matlab environment for the deduction of such risk assessments. The developed methodology was applied in the area of the pit lake Most in Czech Republic.

Cluster Enterprise Comprehensive Risk Assessment: Methodology Based on the Functional-Target Approach

The effectiveness of the unification of enterprises in the cluster is also associated with high uncertainty and risks. Thus, the development of theoretical approaches and methodological instruments for efficient risk management of enterprises under the conditions of cluster association is an urgent scientific task. The methodology of a comprehensive risk assessment of the cluster enterprise is based on the use of the approach for building a functional-target model of a cluster enterprise, and is reduced to the search for a response to the question: can an event change the value of a providing indicator in such a way that this will lead to a deterioration in the resulting indicator in each enterprise subsystem? Based on the results of forecasting external risks, it was established that the group of state and global risks, in particular, political, territorial and financial, is characterized by significant threats for the next 5 years for the studied cluster enterprises. We proposed and tested a methodology for a comprehensive assessment of the risks of cluster enterprises, based on a functional-target approach, according to which a cluster enterprise as a socio-economic system is considered as a set of three basic subsystems: management, production and financial and economic.

Publicly Available Data-Based Flood Risk Assessment Methodology: A Case Study for a Floodplain in Poland

Flood risk assessment is used to estimate the expected consequences and probability of a flood. It leads to the strengthening of resilience through appropriate preparation for an event of a specific scale. The methodology described in this paper was developed by the authors for the purposes of flood risk assessment in Poland, introduced to and applied on an actual example. It is based on simple calculations and a comparison of the results with a template. All of the data required for calculation came from freely available sources. Therefore, it is essential to evaluate the effectiveness of the flood risk assessment methodology in improving construction safety and identifying the factors that influence its implementation. The approach presented in this article is based on implementation of the parameters of floods, describing the characteristics of the exposed area and human vulnerability, among other factors, to the national risk assessment methodology, and then using it to determine the directions of activities aimed at reducing the risk of flooding. Simultaneously, assessment of these parameters might not be related directly to flood threats, but rather to the broader approach to risk assessment, including other threats. As a result of the application of the described methodology, it was estimated that the flood risk in the studied area is catastrophic, which requires immediate decisions of people responsible for safety.

Risk Mapping Based on Risk Assessment Semi-Quantitative Method as a means for Resilience Strengthening Support in Tr anscarpathia

The occurrence of natural and man-made hazards usually leads to the emergence of consequences that affect the living environment. Risk assessment as a process helps to comprehend risk. A risk assessment based on complex semi-qualitative approach to probability of hazard with specified consequences occurrence makes it possible to designate risk levels. In the Transcarpathian region the assessed risk levels distribution has been visualized on risk maps. Such risk maps as a form of risk communication may be used to support resilience strengthening regarding identified hazards and its impact on the society, infrastructure and environment. Based on conducted research, a risk assessment methodology and risk mapping methodology were proposed. Moreover, the usage of proposed methods was referenced to the resilience strengthening and its influence on the sustainable development of the Transcarpathian region. The proposed tool is a solution that is correlated to 30 innovations linking dedicated Disaster Risk Reduction with Sustainable Development Goals.

Lifetime Carcinogenic Risk Proportions from Inhalation Exposures in Industrial and Non-Industrial Regions

The aim of this work was to estimate the share of selected significant risk factors for respiratory cancer in the overall incidence of this disease and their comparison in two environmentally different burdened regions. A combination of a longitudinal cross-sectional population study with a US EPA health risk assessment methodology was used. The result of this procedure is the expression of lifelong carcinogenic risks and their contribution in the overall incidence of the disease. Compared to exposures to benzo[a]pyrene in the air and fibrogenic dust in the working air, several orders of magnitude higher share of the total incidence of respiratory cancer was found in radon exposures, for women 60% in the industrial area, respectively 100% in the non-industrial area, for men 24%, respectively 15%. The share of risks in workers exposed to fibrogenic dust was found to be 0.35% in the industrial area. For benzo[a]pyrene, the share of risks was below 1% and the share of other risk factors was in the monitored areas was up to 85%. The most significant share in the development of respiratory cancer in both monitored areas is represented by radon for women and other risk factors for men.

Flood risk assessment methodology

Paper presents a proposal of the flood risk assessment methodology. The theoretical background is based on the multi-index conceptual models, which consists of three layers -objective layer, index layer and indicators layer. The fulfilment of the layer is based on the Reports on the course and consequences of floods in the territory of the Slovak Republic.

Risk assessment of geological disaster in the region of Primorsko Municipality

Risk assessment methodology is described in detail and applied for assessing the geological hazard for potential landslides and earthquakes. This methodology follows the guidelines of ISO 31010 and the JRC recommendations, and is applied for the first time in Bulgaria. The obtained results have high practical applicability. The flexibility of the methodology allows the final result to be presented as either a risk matrix or risk profiles. It depends on the specific tasks, issues and scientific problems that need to be solved.

Validating a Tailored Disaster Risk Assessment Methodology: Drought Risk Assessment in Local PNG Regions

Climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of natural hazards, causing adverse impacts on vulnerable communities. Pacific Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are of particular concern, requiring resilient disaster risk management consisting of two key elements: proactivity and suitability. User-centred Integrated Early Warning Systems (I-EWSs) can inform resilient risk management. However, an EWS is only effectively integrated when all components are functioning adequately. In Pacific SIDS, the risk knowledge component of an I-EWS is underexplored. Risk knowledge is improved through efficient risk assessment. A case study assessing drought risk in PNG provinces was conducted to demonstrate the development and validate the application of a tailored risk assessment methodology. Hazard, vulnerability, and exposure indicators appropriate for monitoring drought in PNG provinces were selected. Risk indices for past years (2014–2020) were calculated and mapped in Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Risk assessment results were validated with a literature investigation of sources presenting information on previous droughts in PNG. The risk assessment indicated a strong drought event in 2015–2016, and a moderate event in 2019–2020. The literature corroborated this, confirming the validity of the risk assessment methodology. The methodology and results can be used to inform improved disaster risk management in PNG, by advising decision-makers of their risk and policymakers on which provinces are of priority for resource allocation. The methodology can also be used to enhance the risk knowledge component of a user-centred I-EWS and guide the implementation of such a system for drought in PNG and other Pacific SIDS.

DETERMINATION OF THE CONSERVATION STATUS OF THE “ESCAMOLERA” ANT (Liometopum apiculatum MAYR) IN MEXICO BY THE SPECIES RISK ASSESSEMENT METHODOLOGY – MER

The larvae and pupae of Liometopum apiculatum, an ant species known as “escamolera” (Lap), are valued for their flavour and nutritional value. Currently demand at restaurants trade, high price and other factors have threatened their populations. However, in Mexico there is no risk assessment for this species. Therefore, information was compiled to evaluate the conservation status of L apiculatum. The species Risk Assessment Methodology (MER) of Appendix I in the Mexican Standard NOM-059-SEMARNAT-2010 determines the risk category of a species based on scores of four criteria and places a species as “Extinct in the wild, subject to special protection, threatened or in danger of extinction”. In this study, the related scores were, for Criterion A (taxon distributional area), 3 points (restricted distribution); Criterion B (habitat status regarding its natural development), 1 point (apt, or not limiting); Criterion C (biological vulnerability), 1 point (low vulnerability); and criterion D (impact of human activity on the taxon) scored 3 points (medium impact). The sum of the scores of the four MER criteria indicated that Lap (the escamolera ant) should be placed in the category of Subject to special protection (SSP). This information shall be used to design management and conservation policies for edible insects in Mexico.

The impact of human error on medical procedures

BACKGROUND: Human error has been studied for large decades with special application to critical infrastructures and processes where the impact of such errors can induce severe or catastrophic consequences. In this sense it is of utmost importance to extend this type of analysis to other fields as medicine. OBJECTIVE: This study proposes a semi-quantitative human error risk assessment methodology, including the analysis of the so-called Performance Shaping Factors (PSFs), in order to contribute to health services improvement. METHODS: A questionnaire including the considered PSFs is answered in order to determine the impact of each PSF and its influence on human error. It allows performing a Human Error Risk Assessment (HERA) for both the patient (HERAp) and the quality of the service (HERAq). RESULTS: The results show the PSFs with the highest impact factor. After applying corrective measures, it is possible to observe the impact on the reduction of the risk for patient and for the quality of the service. CONCLUSIONS: The application of the methodology with the inclusion of the impact of PSFs allows minimizing or mitigating failure modes with greater risk as well as increasing patient safety and promoting a better quality of medical procedures.