The second year report up to the publication of "The Common Inheritance"
in 1990 included a wide range of commitments to further action, as part
of the Government strategy for the environment. One of these (which
went beyond environmental considerations was to undertake a review of
the principles and practices used in Government for risk assessment
with a view to identifying best practice; encouraging common approaches;
and to producing a report describing and comparing current practices.
The Interdepartmental Liaison Group on Risk Assessment (ILGRA) was given
the task of producing the report.
ILGRA is an informal committee of officials responsible for policy development
and practical applications of risk assessment in all major Departments.
It meets regularly to share views on and experience of risk assessment
matters. Details about its membership and terms of reference are at
Annex 1. Though ILGRA's remit is not confined exclusively to health,
safety and environmental risks, this report focuses on these.
Risk assessment is a powerful tool for informing, but not dictating,
decisions on the management of risks. However, ILGRA has found that
there are variation in the ways in which many Departments use risk assessment
and integrate it into the decision-making process. The report makes
a number of useful recommendations for achieving greater coherence and
consistency in those areas, facilitating inter-departmental co-operation
on risk issues and improving the way the Government communicates with
the public on health and safety matters.
These are important issues. Risks do no usually apply to just one single
receptor (e.g. the environment, works, the public) and more than one
department may have responsibility for putting in place the necessary
arrangements to ensure that they are controlled. ILGRA has now been
given the task of developing the further work proposed in the report.
The publication of the report is particularly opportune. The Government
has recently announced that a risk assessment should be provided to
Ministers to assist them in reaching their decision on any regulatory
proposal affecting business. Ministers will be required personally to
sign off each risk assessment and satisfy themselves that the regulation
strikes an appropriate balance between cost and benefit.
The report has three chapters. Chapter one given an overview of risk
assessment. Chapter two describes, in broad terms, the functions of
the Departments covered in this report and summarises their use of risk
assessment. Chapter three examines how Departments use risk assessment,
identifies common approaches, explores whether greater cohesion and
consistency are needed and if so how these could be achieved.
The compilation of the report has involved a great deal of work by ILGRA
members. It is hoped that the outcome will be of value in improving
the use of risk assessment in Departments. Its publication will broaden
the debate on this important subject. Observations will be welcomed
and should be sent to the ILGRA Secretariat.
The drafting of the report has been undertaken by Dr Jean Le Guen, Head
of HSE's Risk Assessment Policy Unit. I would like on behalf of ILGRA
to record our appreciation to him for all his efforts.
Dr Jim McQuaid
Chairman
Interdepartmental Liaison Group on Risk Assessment
ALARP |
As Low As Is Reasonably Practicable |
BATNEEC |
Best Available Technology Not Entailing Excessive Cost |
BPM |
Best Practical Means |
BSE |
Bovine Spongiform Encepalopathy |
CAA |
Civil Aviation Authority |
CBA |
Cost Benefit Analysis |
CCA |
Compliance Cost Assessment |
CEN |
Comité Européen de Normalisation |
COSHH |
Control Of Substances Hazardous To Health |
DH |
Department Of Health |
DOE |
Department Of Environment |
DOT |
Department Of Transport |
EDG |
Employment Department Group |
EU |
European Union |
HMIP |
her majesty's inspectorate of pollution |
HSC |
Health And Safety Commission |
HSE |
Health And Safety Executive |
ICAO |
International Civil Aviation Organisation |
IGEAE |
Interdepartmental Group On Economic Appraisal And Evaluation |
ILGRA |
Interdepartmental Liaison Group On Risk Assessment |
IT |
Information Technology |
JAA |
Joint Aviation Authorities |
MAFF |
Ministry Of Agriculture, Fisheries And Food |
MOD |
Ministry Of Defence |
NOAEL |
No Observable Adverse Effect Level |
OECD |
Organisation For Economic Cooperation And Development |
SO |
Scottish Office |
SSAS |
Sub-group On The Setting Of Safety Standards |
TB |
Tuberculosis |
ToR |
Tolerability Of Risk |
UN |
United Nations |
