Why risk assessment needs an underpinning philosophy.

Article


Ball, D. 2007. Why risk assessment needs an underpinning philosophy. Arboricultural Journal. 30 (2), pp. 113-120.
TypeArticle
TitleWhy risk assessment needs an underpinning philosophy.
AuthorsBall, D.
Abstract

Without a philosophy risk assessments cannot be interpreted and thus may be wrongly applied. The United Kingdom has evolved a sophisticated philosophy of decision making over two centuries although this is surprisingly little known outside of professional circles. This paper describes the philosophy and its connection with case law. It may also be possible to apply this philosophy to the issue of the level of risk assessment which is appropriate in given circumstances, for example, to arboriculture.

Research GroupCentre for Decision Analysis and Risk Management (DARM)
PublisherAB Academic Publishers
JournalArboricultural Journal
ISSN0307-1375
Publication dates
PrintOct 2007
Publication process dates
Deposited06 Apr 2010
Output statusPublished
LanguageEnglish
Permalink -

https://repository.mdx.ac.uk/item/8281v

  • 45
    total views
  • 0
    total downloads
  • 0
    views this month
  • 0
    downloads this month

Export as

Related outputs

Virtual risk management—exploring effects of childhood risk experiences through innovative methods (ViRMa) for primary school children in Norway: study protocol for the ViRMa project
Sandseter, E., Sando, O., Lorås, H., Kleppe, R., Storli, L., Brussoni, M., Bundy, A., Schwebel, D., Ball, D., Haga, M. and Little, H. 2023. Virtual risk management—exploring effects of childhood risk experiences through innovative methods (ViRMa) for primary school children in Norway: study protocol for the ViRMa project. JMIR Research Protocols. 12, pp. 1-16. https://doi.org/10.2196/45857
What is risk?
Ball, D. 2022. What is risk? Livingstone, G. (ed.) ASEC 22: Army Safety & Environmental Conference. Tidworth Garrison Theatre, UK 17 Mar 2022 UK MOD. pp. 6-6
Science and politics of base station electromagnetic field risks
Mazar Madjar, H. and Ball, D. 2021. Science and politics of base station electromagnetic field risks. IEEE Conference on microwaves, antennas, communications and electronic systems (COMCAS). Tel Aviv 01 - 03 Nov 2021 IEEE. pp. 216-218 https://doi.org/10.1109/COMCAS52219.2021.9629038
Strengths and limitations of conventional approaches to risk assessment and management of EMF exposure from 5G and B5G networks
Mazar, H. and Ball, D. 2021. Strengths and limitations of conventional approaches to risk assessment and management of EMF exposure from 5G and B5G networks. Frontiers in Communications and Networks. 2. https://doi.org/10.3389/frcmn.2021.731172
Managing risk in nurseries
Ball, D. 2022. Managing risk in nurseries. Mark Allen Group.
Health, the outdoors and safety
Ball, D. and Ball-King, L. 2021. Health, the outdoors and safety. Sustainability. 13 (8), pp. 1-11. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13084274
Risky play in a risk averse world
Ball, D. 2020. Risky play in a risk averse world. OECD 21st Century Children. Utrecht, the Netherlands 17 - 18 Feb 2020
Improving society's management of risks - a statement of principles
Ball, D., Humpherson, E., Johnson, B., McDowell, M., Ng, R., Radaelli, C., Renn, O., Seedhouse, D., Spiegelhalter, D., Uhl, A. and Watt, J. 2020. Improving society's management of risks - a statement of principles. Brussels, Belgium Atomium, EISMD.
Hazard identification and risk assessment in the leisure sector - the UK experience
Ball, D. 2018. Hazard identification and risk assessment in the leisure sector - the UK experience. ISO/TC 83 WG6 Working Group. Toronto, Canada 30 - 31 Oct 2018
Presentation of CAPUR's scientific activities
Ball, D. 2019. Presentation of CAPUR's scientific activities. CAPUR presentation by Atomium (Brussels). Brussels 07 May 2019
Risk Assessment - breaking new ground
Ball, D. 2019. Risk Assessment - breaking new ground. Play and managing risk seminar. Conwy Business Centre, Llandudno Junction 17 Jul 2019
Avoiding a dystopian future for children's play
Ball, D., Brussoni, M., Gill, T., Harbottle, H. and Spiegal, B. 2019. Avoiding a dystopian future for children's play. International Journal of Play. 8 (1), pp. 3-10. https://doi.org/10.1080/21594937.2019.1582844
Reflections on public safety - a UK experience
Ball, D. 2017. Reflections on public safety - a UK experience. Public safety. University of Nagaoka, Japan 08 - 09 Sep 2017
The importance of play and what we need to do
Ball, D. 2019. The importance of play and what we need to do. Japan Park Facilities Association (JPFA) 30th Anniversary Conference. Tokyo 08 Oct 2019
Health and safety and the management of risk
Ball-King, L. and Ball, D. 2016. Health and safety and the management of risk. in: Burgess, A., Alemanno, A. and Zinn, J. (ed.) Routledge Handbook of Risk Studies London Routledge. pp. 143-154
Risk and safety in outdoor play
Sandseter, E., Little, H., Ball, D., Eager, D. and Brussoni, M. 2017. Risk and safety in outdoor play. in: Waller, T., Ärlemalm-Hagsér, E., Sandseter, E., Lee-Hammond, L., Lekies, K. and Wyver, S. (ed.) The Sage Handbook of Outdoor Play and Learning London Sage. pp. 113-126
Risk and the perception of risk in interactions with nature
Ball, D. and Ball-King, L. 2018. Risk and the perception of risk in interactions with nature. in: van den Bosch, M. and Bird, W. (ed.) Oxford textbook of Nature and Public Health: The role of nature in improving the health of a population Oxford Oxford University Press (OUP). pp. 215-220
Risky play and growing up: how to understand the over-protection of the next generation
Kennair, L., Sandseter, E. and Ball, D. 2018. Risky play and growing up: how to understand the over-protection of the next generation. in: Kaufman, A. and Kaufman, J. (ed.) Pseudoscience: The conspiracy against science Cambridge Mass., London The MIT Press. pp. 171-194
Enhancing the resilience of children and young people in a risky world
Ball, D., Watt, J. and de Rijke, V. 2017. Enhancing the resilience of children and young people in a risky world. SRA-E 26th Annual Conference: New challenges, new threats: resilience and adaptation in a risky world. Lisbon, Portugal 19 - 21 Jun 2017
Airborne particulate matter and diesel vehicles in cities - changing perspectives
Ball, D. and Watt, J. 2016. Airborne particulate matter and diesel vehicles in cities - changing perspectives. International Conference on Urban Risks (ICUR 2016). Lisbon, Portugal 30 Jun - 02 Jul 2016 CERU - European Centre of Urban Risks. pp. 933-940
Utilising expertise to manage dynamic urban risks
Watt, J., Ball, D. and Okoli, J. 2016. Utilising expertise to manage dynamic urban risks. International Conference on Urban Risks (ICUR 2016). Lisbon, Portugal 30 Jun - 02 Jul 2016 CERU - European Centre of Urban Risks. pp. 123-129
Trees and the urban environment - weighing risks and benefits
Ball, D., Watt, J. and Fay, N. 2016. Trees and the urban environment - weighing risks and benefits. International Conference on Urban Risks (ICUR 2016). Lisbon, Portugal 30 Jun - 02 Jul 2016 pp. 575-582
Can child injury prevention include healthy risk promotion?
Brussoni, M., Brunelle, S., Pike, I., Sandseter, E., Herrington, S., Turner, H., Belair, S., Logan, L., Fuselli, P. and Ball, D. 2015. Can child injury prevention include healthy risk promotion? Injury Prevention. 21 (5), pp. 344-347. https://doi.org/10.1136/injuryprev-2014-041241
Children's play space and safety management: rethinking the role of play equipment standards
Spiegal, B., Gill, T., Harbottle, H. and Ball, D. 2014. Children's play space and safety management: rethinking the role of play equipment standards. SAGE Open. 4 (1), pp. 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1177/2158244014522075
The risk to the public of tree fall
Ball, D. and Watt, J. 2013. The risk to the public of tree fall. Journal of Risk Research. 16 (2), pp. 261-269. https://doi.org/10.1080/13669877.2012.737827
The rise and fall of a regulator: adventure sports in the United Kingdom
Ball-King, L., Watt, J. and Ball, D. 2013. The rise and fall of a regulator: adventure sports in the United Kingdom. Risk Analysis. 33 (1), pp. 15-23. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1539-6924.2012.01850.x
Safety management and public spaces: restoring balance
Ball, D. and Ball-King, L. 2013. Safety management and public spaces: restoring balance. Risk Analysis. 33 (5), pp. 763-771. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1539.6924.2012.01900.x
Further thoughts on the utility of risk matrices
Ball, D. and Watt, J. 2013. Further thoughts on the utility of risk matrices. Risk Analysis. 33 (11), pp. 2068-2078. https://doi.org/10.1111/risa.12057
Public safety and risk assessment: improving decision making
Ball, D. and Ball-King, L. 2011. Public safety and risk assessment: improving decision making. Abingdon, UK Routledge.
Human behaviour.
Ball, D. and Green, C. 2007. Human behaviour. in: Thorne, C., Evans, E. and Penning-Rowsell, E. (ed.) Future flooding and coastal erosion risks. Thomas Telford Ltd. pp. 100-115
Risks and benefits of sports and exercise: part 1 - assessing the risks.
Ball, D. 1998. Risks and benefits of sports and exercise: part 1 - assessing the risks. Sports Exercise and Injury. 4 (1), pp. 3-9.
Risks and benefits of sports and exercise: part 2 - gauging the benefits.
Ball, D. 1998. Risks and benefits of sports and exercise: part 2 - gauging the benefits. Sports Exercise and Injury. 4 (2/3), pp. 74-79.
Risks and benefits of sports and exercise Part 3 of a 3 part series - looking ahead.
Ball, D. 1998. Risks and benefits of sports and exercise Part 3 of a 3 part series - looking ahead. Sports Exercise and Injury. 4 (4), pp. 174-182.
Nuclear waste: consult widely, decide wisely?
Ball, D. 2005. Nuclear waste: consult widely, decide wisely? The Chemical Engineer.
Risk and the demise of children's play.
Ball, D. 2007. Risk and the demise of children's play. in: Thom, B., Sales, R. and Pearce, J. (ed.) Growing up with risk. Policy Press.
Charisma: cultural heritage, access and risk management.
Ball, D. and Watt, J. 2002. Charisma: cultural heritage, access and risk management. Brandt-Grau, A., Pérez-Vitoria, S., Chapuis, M. and Leissner, J. (ed.) The European Commission. pp. 222
The valuation of safety in the UK – some recent developments.
Ball, D. 2000. The valuation of safety in the UK – some recent developments. in: Measuring the burden of injury: the 3rd International Conference proceedings. U.S. Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. pp. 83-87
Environmental health policy.
Ball, D. 2006. Environmental health policy. Open University Press.
Design for play: a guide to creating successful play spaces.
Shackell, A., Butler, N., Doyle, P. and Ball, D. 2008. Design for play: a guide to creating successful play spaces. The Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS)..
Managing risk in play provision: implementation guide.
Ball, D., Gill, T. and Spiegal, B. 2008. Managing risk in play provision: implementation guide. The Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS)..
Towards a coherent industrial safety and environmental risk management philosophy in the United Kingdom.
Ball, D. and Goats, G. 1996. Towards a coherent industrial safety and environmental risk management philosophy in the United Kingdom. International Journal of Environment and Pollution. 6 (4/5/6), pp. 397-414.
Risk management and consumer safety.
Ball, D. and Goats, G. 1996. Risk management and consumer safety. International journal of injury control and safety promotion.. 3 (3), pp. 111-124. https://doi.org/10.1080/09298349608945770
Some observations on waterslide injuries.
Ball, D. 1998. Some observations on waterslide injuries. Injury Prevention. 4 (3), pp. 225-227.
The Panteg monitoring project: comparing PCB and dioxin concentrations in the vicinity of industrial facilities
Lovett, A., Foxall, C., Ball, D. and Creaser, C. 1998. The Panteg monitoring project: comparing PCB and dioxin concentrations in the vicinity of industrial facilities. Journal of Hazardous Materials. 61 (1-3), pp. 175-185. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0304-3894(98)00121-6
Consumer affairs and the valuation of safety.
Ball, D. 2000. Consumer affairs and the valuation of safety. Accident Analysis & Prevention. 32 (3), pp. 337-343. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0001-4575(99)00055-X
Risk ranking by the British public: a survey of worry about a broad spectrum of risk issues.
Houghton, J., Murray, E. and Ball, D. 1999. Risk ranking by the British public: a survey of worry about a broad spectrum of risk issues. Human and ecological risk assessment: an international journal. 5 (3), pp. 509-526. https://doi.org/10.1080/10807039991289509
Diverse conceptions of risk prioritization.
Ball, D. and Golob, L. 1999. Diverse conceptions of risk prioritization. Journal of Risk Research. 2 (3), pp. 243-261. https://doi.org/10.1080/136698799376826
Ships in the night and the quest for safety.
Ball, D. 2000. Ships in the night and the quest for safety. International journal of injury control and safety promotion.. 7 (2), pp. 83-96. https://doi.org/10.1076/1566-0974(200006)7:2;1-R;FT083
Playgrounds - risks, benefits and choices
Ball, D. 2002. Playgrounds - risks, benefits and choices. HSE Books.
Understanding and responding to societal concerns.
Ball, D. and Boehmer-Christiansen, S. 2002. Understanding and responding to societal concerns. HSE Books.
Perceptual differences regarding health and environmental problems and their remedies in two states of the former Czechoslovakia
Slachtová, H., Avdičová, M., Tvrdík, J., Fletcher, T., Dusseldorp, A., Kolarova, D., Farkas, I., Zycinska, J., Gurzau, E., Minca, D., Ball, D., Jones, K., Lebret, E. and Woudenberg, F. 2003. Perceptual differences regarding health and environmental problems and their remedies in two states of the former Czechoslovakia. Central European Journal of Public Health.. 11 (1), pp. 44-49.
Policy issues and risk–benefit trade-offs of ‘safer surfacing’ for children’s playgrounds.
Ball, D. 2004. Policy issues and risk–benefit trade-offs of ‘safer surfacing’ for children’s playgrounds. Accident Analysis & Prevention. 36 (4), pp. 661-670. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0001-4575(03)00088-5
The UK Committee on Radioactive Waste Management.
Baverstock, K. and Ball, D. 2005. The UK Committee on Radioactive Waste Management. Journal of Radiological Protection. 25 (3), pp. 313-320. https://doi.org/10.1088/0952-4746/25/3/008
A bad year for science.
Ball, D. and Baverstock, K. 2006. A bad year for science. Nuclear Engineering International.
Foreign travel and the risk of harm.
Ball, D. and Machin, N. 2006. Foreign travel and the risk of harm. International journal of injury control and safety promotion.. 13 (2), pp. 107-115. https://doi.org/10.1080/17457300500221292
Trends in fall injuries associated with children's outdoor climbing frames.
Ball, D. 2007. Trends in fall injuries associated with children's outdoor climbing frames. International journal of injury control and safety promotion.. 14 (1), pp. 49-53. https://doi.org/10.1080/17457300600890137
I’ll manage risk my way.
Ball, D. 2007. I’ll manage risk my way. Arboricultural Journal. 30 (2), pp. 121-126.
The evolution of risk assessment and risk management: a background to the development of risk philosophy.
Ball, D. 2007. The evolution of risk assessment and risk management: a background to the development of risk philosophy. Arboricultural Journal. 30 (2), pp. 105-112.
Experts and public risk.
Barrett, M. and Ball, D. 2009. Experts and public risk. The Risk and Regulation Advisory Council.
Editorial on nuclear waste.
Baverstock, K. and Ball, D. 2008. Editorial on nuclear waste. Energy & Environment. 19 (3-4), pp. 379-390. https://doi.org/10.1260/095830508784641417
Standards setters and public risk.
Ball, D. and Barrett, M. 2009. Standards setters and public risk. The Risk and Regulation Advisory Council.
Insurers and public risk.
Barrett, M. and Ball, D. 2009. Insurers and public risk. The Risk and Regulation Advisory Council.
Judges, courts, the legal profession and public risk.
Ball, D., Maggs, D. and Barrett, M. 2009. Judges, courts, the legal profession and public risk. The Risk and Regulation Advisory Council.
Societal concerns and risk decisions
Ball, D. and Boehmer-Christiansen, S. 2006. Societal concerns and risk decisions. Journal of Hazardous Materials. 144 (1-2), pp. 556-563. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2006.10.070
Deliberating over Britain's nuclear waste
Ball, D. 2006. Deliberating over Britain's nuclear waste. Journal of Risk Research. 9 (1), pp. 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1080/13669870500288700
Environmental risk assessment and the intrusion of bias
Ball, D. 2002. Environmental risk assessment and the intrusion of bias. Environment International. 28 (6), pp. 529-544. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0160-4120(02)00061-2
Factors influencing subjective ranking of driver distractions
Patel, J., Ball, D. and Jones, H. 2008. Factors influencing subjective ranking of driver distractions. Accident Analysis & Prevention. 40 (1), pp. 392-395. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aap.2007.07.006
Environmental hazards and risk communication. (Editorial).
Faulkner, H. and Ball, D. 2007. Environmental hazards and risk communication. (Editorial). Environmental Hazards. 7 (2), pp. 71-78. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envhaz.2007.08.002
Resistance to three antimicrobial agents of Campylobacter isolated from organically- and intensively-reared chickens purchased from retail outlets
Soonthornchaikul, N., Garelick, H., Jones, H., Jacobs, J., Ball, D. and Choudhury, M. 2006. Resistance to three antimicrobial agents of Campylobacter isolated from organically- and intensively-reared chickens purchased from retail outlets. International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents. 27 (2), pp. 125-130. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2005.09.020