Special Issue

Research reviews on risk management

Review

Risk Assessment For Safety Management

Takehiro ISEI (Sefety Engineering Dept., NIRE)

Abstract
As a measure for improving safety, causal investigation of the event or accident has yielded many clues to prevent similar accidents. Such afterhand methods are still very important for safety management, however, in the case of safety management of large and complicated systems, it has been said that "risk assesment" (forehand measure) only gives us a solution for safety management. Such risk assessment techniques have been gradually becoming popular to solve the problems in safety management as well as to deal with environmental safety issues. If one wants to conduct a risk vs. benefit analysis in the safety manegement, risk assessment might be very essential. This paper reviews the recent trend of risk assessment.

Key words : isk assessment, cost benefit analysis, safety management, safety

(Language:Japanese)

Review

Economic Analysis in Risk Management : The perspective of environmental economics

Atsuo KISHIMOTO (Chemical Substances Risk Assessment Div., Safety Engineering Dept., NIRE)

Abstract
This paper introduces the application of economic analysis to health and safety risk management. The methods most commonly used in this field are cost benefit analysis and cost effectiveness analysis. The present role of economic analysis in environmental decision-making in Japan and the U.S.A. is reviewed, followed by a brief survey of non-market valuation methodologies. Then, two kinds of "disparities" are introduced; on the economics side, information on the cost-effectiveness of life-saving interventions weregathered in the U.S.A., Sweden, and Japan and it was shown that the cost per life-year saved of risk-reduction policies varies enormously both within and between different sectors in the three countries; on the psychologic side, it is often pointed out that there is a large disparity between risk perception of lay people and risk assessment of experts. It is argued that these are different aspects of the same phenomenon and the importance of risk communication is emphasized.

Key words : Cost effectiveness analysis, Cost benefit analysis, Risk perception, Risk communication

(Language:Japanese)

Review

Exposure Assessment in Risk Assessment/Management of Hazardous Chemical Substances -Discussion on Air Pollutants

Masashi GAMO (Chemical Substances Risk Assessment Div., Safety Engineering Dept., NIRE)
Koichi OHNOA (Department of Urban Engineering, The University of Tokyo.)

Abstract
Exposure assessment links the concentration of hazardous chemical substances in theenvironment to the dose level that poses adverse health effects to humans. Although this is an essential part in risk assessment/management of environmental pollutants, it is only recently that the importance of exposure assessment is recognized. Here, therole of exposure assessment in risk assessment/management is discussed, followed by reviews of various types of approaches to exposure assessment of air pollutants, the methods measuring the levels of personal exposure to such pollutants, and the reported distribution of such exposure. In the area of air pollutants, an exposure assessment useful for risk assessment/management is considered to be feasible if the measurement of the distribution of personal exposure is conducted properly.

Key words : Exposure Assessment, Risk Assessment, Risk Management, Air Pollutants, Distribution of Exposure

(Language:Japanese)

Review

Standardization of Risk Management System

Masayuki KOSUGI (System Safety Div., Safety Engineering Dept.,NIRE)

Abstract
In the earthquake in Kobe, financial corruption and the hostage taking aftermath of the devastating at Japanese Embassy in Peru, it became clear that organizations and society were required to strengthen their resistance to risk, and the standardization of risk assessment systems increases in today's society. Agency of Industrial Science and Technology, MITI directs the standardization of risk management system, and its technical report has been announced in 1996. The standard written in the report gives instructions for establishment of the system at organizations in the same manner as ISO9000 and ISO14000 standards. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) investigates the international standardization of risk management system, TMB/AdHocmeeting in Tokyo, 1997, resulted in an agreement to start defining the terms.

Key words :risk management, ISO, risk assessment, system standard, risk communication

(Language:Japanese)

Technical report

Risk evaluation for human activities; in term of safety risk

Atsuko TANAKA (System Safety Div., Safety Engineering Dept.,NIRE)

Abstract
An accident or a disaster is recognized as a result of a contingent event and the following series of events including human response. There are two methods to prevent disasters or accidents. One is industrial safety, and the other is system safety analysis. Industrial safety deals with individual cause and effect of disasters or accidents, and takes appropriate countermeasures. System safety considers overall potential for accidents or disasters and countermeasures. Both are influenced by the current state of technology, economy, and society, and require adequate safety management. In this material, the author describes 'safety risk' and 'system safety' that focuses on responseto contingent events, and evaluation of risks in human activities.

Key words : System safety, Safety risk, Human reliability, HRA, THERP

(Language:Japanese)

Original Paper

Distribution of Benthic Organisms in Relation to Environmental parameters in Uchiura Bay (Inner Part of Suruga Bay).

Tomomi KANEKO (Marine Biological Research Institute of Japan Co.,Ltd
Masaaki TSUJI (Marine Environment Div., Environmental Assessment Dept., NIRE)

Abstract
The distribution of macrobenthos and meiobenthos were investigated, in relation to environmental parameters, at 24 stations in Uchiura Bay (the inner part of Suruga Bay), in summer 1990.

Environmental parameters of bottom water (DO , salinity, chlorophyll-a concentrations, nutrient concentrations, temperature and pH) were almost stable in this area. The value of sediment parameters (COD and T-S concentrations, Ignition Loss, water and silt contents) were high at stations around the mouth of the Kano river and gradually decreased with increasing distance from the river mouth. However, there were some exceptional stations located in the most inner area and at the mouth of Uchiura Bay.

Based on the similarity of species composition among stations, two types of benthic communities were detected in relation to water depth, excepting some neighboring stations at the river mouth. The number of individuals and species of benthos at eachstation were significantly correlated with the sediment parameters.

Key words : Benthos, Environmental parameters, Bottom water, Sediment, Water depth.

(Language:Japanese)

Review

Phosphorus Geochemistry in Marine Sediments : Progress and Perplexity.

Masahiro SUZUMURA (Marine Environment Div., Environmental Assessment Dept., NIRE)

Abstract
An increasing amount of phosphorus (P) has been supplied to the marine environment, resulting in the undesirable consequence for coastal ecosystems. Thus, information about behavior of P in coastal areas is urgently needed in understanding the impact of human activities on the marine environment. In addition to the role of P as a pollutant, there is another side of this element as a factor in the global environmental change, that is, as an essential nutrient for maintaining the marine primary productivity. Therefore, information of P cycling in the ocean is also needed on the global and longer time scales. Phosphorus and various materials in marine ecosystems are eventually removed and�^or stored into bottom sediments. Especially in the coastal environment, it has been emphasized the importance of sediments as a significant source of P maintaining eutrophication. Here, the author has focused on P in marine sediments. The aim of this paper is to facilitate future developments of marine environmental and geochemical researches on P by reviewing conditions, concepts and problems in studies of marine sedimentary P.

Key words : phosphorus biogeochemistry, marine sediment, analytical methods, Carly diagenesis.

(Language:Japanese)