Book Descriptions
Affordable Safety by Choice:
The Life Quality Method
J.S. Nathwani, N.C. Lind, M.D. Pandey 1997 Paperback ($45.00)
ISBN 0-9696747-9-1
This book considers the problems of managing risk responsibly
on behalf of others. It will be of primary interest to decision-makers
charged with the task of developing strategies and implementing
safety policies. A coherent and unified rationale for managing
risk in the public interest has been developed in the form
of four principles of accountability, maximizing net benefit
to society, compensation and life measure. A new method and
the supporting analytical tools have been developed and applied
to assess a wide range of risk management problems. Risk assessment
specialists, scientists, engineers, public health officials,
regulators and practitioners who provide support to decision-makers
will find in the Life Quality Index a robust tool that will
help address some of fundamental issues related to the costs,
the benefits, the risk and the uncertainty surrounding any
risk management problems.
CAN/CSA-Q850-97 - Risk Management:
Guideline for Decision-Makers
Published by: Canadian Standards Association 1997. Paperback
($38.00)
ISSN 0317-5669
This Guideline provides a systematic method for analyzing
complex risk issues and provides the decision-maker with the
information necessary to make decisions with confidence. This
Guideline was developed building on existing risk communication
into the decision process. It is intended to be applicable
across a number of risk management disciplines, such as health,
transportation, and industrial safety. For example, in the
area of human health, this Guideline could provide a framework
for the assessment and management of the potential risks associated
with chemicals, radiation, microbiological contaminants, or
diseases. It does not, however, provide a formula that is
guaranteed to give the "correct" solution, nor does
it tell the individual or organization what it should value.
This Guideline was prepared by the CSA Technical Committee
on Risk Management under the authority of the CSA Strategic
Steering Committee on Business Management Systems.
Climate Change, Uncertainty
and Decision-Making
Edited by G.M. Paoli 1994. Paperback ($25.00)
ISBN 0-9696747-3-2
This volume contains papers and discussion from the workshop,
Risk Estimation of Extreme Weather Events. The workshop addressed
techniques to reduce some of the uncertainty associated with
extremes in weather, with and without climate change, and
techniques to effectively manage the inevitable remaining
uncertainty.
Some of the topics which were covered: downscaling from global
scenarios to local effects using stochastic simulation; downscaling
using meso-scale models; spatial interpolation of stochastic
rainfall parameters; information-theoretic estimation of random
variables with sparse data sets; Bayesian analysis for climate-based
decisions; and Dempster-Shafer Theory and its application
to water resources decisions. The volume provides background
chapters, papers on these topics, and captures the panel and
roundtable discussions in a summary chapter.
Dangerous Goods Movements
Edited by J.H. Shortreed 1985. Paperback ($7.00)
ISBN 0-88898-059-0
This publication is a record of the workshop held at Waterloo
in the spring of 1984. The objective of the workshop was to
produce a summary document which both evaluates the current
status of dangerous goods risk management and propose specific
areas for further investigation and possible action.
Development of Environmental
Health Status Indicators
Edited by R.S. McColl 1992. Paperback ($30.00)
ISBN 0-9692870-9-7
This book contains the papers presented at the Workshop on
Environmental Health Status sponsored jointly by Health and
Welfare Canada and Statistics Canada. The primary objective
of the Workshop was to examine the development of methods
for utilizing available resources of environmental health
status information, and exploring the relationship between
environmental status and associated indicators of health status
in the Canadian population. The papers cover the following
topic areas:
- Overview of issues
- Sources of environmental status information
- Outcome indicators of health status
- Monitoring for carcinogenic risks
- Perspectives on environmental health indicators.
Drinking Water Safety, A Total Quality Management Approach
Edited by S.E. Hrudey. 2003. Paperback ($50.00)
ISBN 0-9684982-3-X
This volume is the proceedings of a Conference
on Drinking Water Safety: A Total Quality Management Approach
that was
held to consider the recent incidents of drinking water
contamination in Canada in context with state of the art
approaches to drinking water protection in Canada, Australia
and worldwide. The conference was organized jointly by the
Network for Environmental Risk Assessment and Management
(NERAM) and the McLaughlin Centre for Population Health Risk
Assessment and sponsored by Environment Canada, Health Canada,
the Canadian Water Network and the Centre for Water and the
Environment at Queen’s University.
A key objective was to identify priority actions to be implemented
over the next 5 to 10 years to improve drinking water safety
in Canada. Delegates emphasized the need for immediate improvements
to ensure the robustness of small water supply systems in
Canada, in conjunction with longer-tem initiatives to develop
a National, comprehensive risk-based framework for management
of drinking water. The adoption of
an integrated, ecosystem watershed management approach to
ensure effective source protection across Canada was recommended
as well as continued support for research and development
to assess
drinking water system vulnerabilities and to further optimize
water treatment, distribution, monitoring and management
systems.
This volume presents the conference summary statement on
priorities for drinking water safety in Canada and peer reviewed
papers addressing key elements and state of the art approaches
for drinking water risk management. The papers address five
main themes: best practice in drinking water quality and
safety; perspectives for risk management; management of water
systems; water quality indicators; and water treatment and
quality issues.
Energy Alternatives: Benefits
and Risks
Edited by H.D. Sharma. 1990. Paperback ($25.00)
ISBN 0-88898-092-2
This volume presents the latest information on the benefits
and detriments of various energy alternatives. The primary
focus is on the total impact on modern society of energy and,
in particular, energy that is widely usable at low cost. Subject
areas highlighted are:
- Risk-benefit assessments
- Risk management
- Energy alternatives - economics and social aspects;
fossil fuel; nuclear
- Sources other than nuclear and fossil.
The papers included in this volume were presented at the
International Symposium on the Total Risk and Benefit Impact
of Energy Alternatives held at the University of Waterloo,
Institute for Risk Research in May 1986.
Energy for 300 Years: Benefits and
Risks
J.S. Nathwani, E. Siddall, N.C. Lind 1992. Paperback ($50.00)
ISBN 0-969287-07-0
This book is about sustainable energy use: its impacts on
wealth creation, the attendant consequences on social and
economic well-being, and the risks and benefits that arise
from energy use. Using the framework developed in the IRR
publication Managing Risks in the Public Interest, the authors
examine the connection between energy use and economic growth,
present a study of the expected future needs for energy, the
abilities of various supply options (coal, oil, natural gas,
hydro, nuclear, wind, solar, and conservation) to meet that
demand, and the assessment of the environmental impacts and
the risk and benefits associated with energy use.
Environmental Health
Risks: Assessment and Management
Edited by R.S. McColl. 1987. Cloth ($44.00)
ISBN 0-88898-076-0
This volume addresses the application of current scientific
knowledge to problems in risk assessment and risk management
for environmental health hazards. Its primary focus is on
the health effects produced by environmental pollutants and
occupational hazards with an emphasis placed on chemical toxicants
that produce chronic disorders. Subject areas highlighted
are:
- Hazard identification
- Risk analysis
- Hazard control
- Decision analysis
- Implementation monitoring and evaluation.
This volume presents selected papers delivered at the Symposium
on Environmental Health Risks: Assessment and Management held
at the University of Waterloo, Institute for Risk Research
in May 1985.
Mad Cows and Mother's Milk:
The Perils of Poor Risk Communication
D. Powell, W. Leiss 1997. Paperback ($20.00)
Published by: McGill-Queen's University Press ISBN 0-7735-1619-0
Communicating the nature and consequences of environmental
and health risks to the public is one of the most problematic
areas for policy makers. Given the perceived risks associated
with the food we eat, chemicals in the environment, and modern
technologies, consumers need clear and timely explanations
of the nature of those risks - but they rarely get them.
Using a series of high-profile examples - including the mad
cow fiasco, E. colioutbreaks, and silicone breast implants
- the authors outline the crucial role of risk management
in dealing with public controversies and analyse risk communication
practice and malpractice, providing a set of lessons for risk
management communicators. They argue that the failure of institutions
to inform the public about the scientific bases of various
risks makes it difficult for government, industry, and society
to manage risk controversies sensibly and often results in
massive costs.
Managing Risks in the Public
Interest
(Second Printing) N.C. Lind, J.S. Nathwani, E. Siddall 1991.
Paperback ($40.00)
ISBN 0-9692870-6-2
Risks arising from technology should be managed in such a
way as to maximize the net benefit to society. This study
provides a framework for the implementation of the principle
of maximizing the net benefit to society. Two combined indicators
of the expectancy and quality of life are developed to give
criteria for decision-making in policy matters on life saving
and safety. The central issue of risk management in the public
interest is very much the wise allocation of scarce resources.
The study develops the theme that progress in the management
of risks is possible if an open accounting is rendered of
the risks and the benefits. This should then form the basis
for guiding decisions among alternatives.
Municipal Solid Waste
Management: Making Decisions in the Face of Uncertainty
Edited by M.E. Haight 1991. Paperback ($40.00)
ISBN 0-88898-103-1
This volume will assist those involved in the decision-making
process for municipal solid waste management in selecting
effective, integrative management strategies. The various
options (landfilling, combustion and the 3Rs) are evaluated
from risk assessment and risk management perspectives. The
health and environmental risks, economic implications, principles
of operation and future directions of each of these municipal
solid waste management strategies are explored.
The contributions are from various professions including
industry, government departments, consultants and academia.
Their treatment of the issues addresses the needs of other
professionals as well as those of the public in general.
Principles of Communicating
Risks
Jean Mulligan, Elaine J. McCoy, and Angela Griffiths 1998.
Spiral ($38.00)
Published by: MacLeod Institute for Environmental Analysis
ISBN 0-9683618-0-3
Principles of Communicating Risks examines how effective
risk communication establishes an interactive exchange of
information and opinion, fosters corporate/stakeholder partnerships,
promotes action in addition to dialogue, and creates an atmosphere
in which trust and credibility prevail.
It is a practical and applicable resource for organizations
proposing change in a stable, traditional environment (e.g.,
an industrial development in a rural community). Through an
examination of risk communication theory, organizational barriers
and case studies, readers will be better able to clearly identify
and resolve issues in advance of engaging the public interest.
Process Safety and Loss
Management in Canada
Proceedings of the First Biennial Conference 1993
Edited by C. Robinson & L. Wilson 1995. Paperback ($45.00)
ISBN 0-9696747-5-9
This book is the Proceedings of the First Biennial Canadian
Conference on Process Safety and Loss Management (PSLM) held
in Edmonton on April 22-23, 1993. The long-term goal of the
Conference and the Proceedings is to continue the development
of process safety and loss management in Canada.
The 1993 Conference focused on the following topics: managing
change; auditing; hazard identification; and risk analysis.
The information provided will assist industries, both large
and small, as they continue to develop the safety goals, risk
management plans, and programs that will enable them to take
a leadership role in a competitive global economy.
The chapters in this book address numerous fundamental questions
and issues related to process safety and loss management requirements
and implementation practices: Why are effective process safety
and loss management programs essential? Why and how did they
evolve? What do they involve? How might they best be implemented
in practice? How may a continuous record of excellence in
process safety and loss management performance be accomplished?
What remains to be done, and by whom? While much of the material
included in this book is drawn from Canadian requirements,
practices, and experiences, relevant and useful information
based on developments in the United States of America also
is provided.
The information provided will assist industries, both large
and small, as they continue to develop the safety goals, risk
management plans, and programs that will enable them to take
a leadership role in a competitive global economy. The chapters
of this book address numerous fundamental questions and issues
related to PSLM requirements and implementation practices
including: managing change; auditing; hazard identification;
and risk analysis.
This book should be of value not only to PSLM professionals
but also to corporate top managers, plant managers, government
regulators, process operators and other plant employees (e.g.
process design engineers; maintenance staff), and to faculty
and students in community college or university programs which
provide education and training for future employees of the
process industries.
Processing Doubtful
Information
Edited by E. Rosenblueth, C. Ferregut, M. Ordaz, X. Chen.
1987. Paperback ($6.00)
ISBN 0-969287-05-4
This paper uses bayesian statistics to present a method
for calculating the probability that each of a set of hypotheses
is true using information previously available and updating
it. In a parallel approach the paper also deals with the
distributions of the parameters of probability distribution,
including the case of outliers.
Prospects and Problems
in Risk Communication
Edited by W. Leiss. 1989. Paperback ($20.00)
ISBN 0-88898-095-7
The articles in this book cover a wide range of current issues
in risk communication. These include: a comprehensive review
of the obstacles that have been encountered in communicating
risk management controversies in North America; analyses of
the distinction between technical risk and perceived risk;
reviews of communication case studies, controversies, and
practices involving Canadian government departments; studies
on the place of quantitative risk assessment results in effective
risk communication practices; and recommendations for improving
current policies and practices. The contributors are from
various professions - the media, industry, government departments,
consultants, and academic fields. Their treatment of these
issues addresses the needs of other professionals in these
areas as well as those of the public in general.
Readings in Risk
Edited by T.S. Glickman, M. Gough 1990. Paperback ($35.00)
Published by: Resources for the Future ISBN 0-915707-55-1
This book reflects the sharp growth in scholarly inquiry
into risk assessment, risk management, and risk communication
and the mounting concern within industry and government and
among the general public about the health and safety hazards
posed by environmental contaminants and technological systems.
Developed for use as a convenient reference work in graduate
and undergraduate courses as well as for researchers, policymakers,
and interested laypersons, the book is a unique collection
of authoritative yet accessible journal articles about risk.
Drawn from a variety of disciplines including the physical
and social sciences, engineering, and the law, the articles
deal with a wide range of public policy, regulatory, management,
energy, and environmental issues. The selections are accompanied
by introductory notes, questions for thought and discussion,
and suggestions for further reading.
Reliability and Risk
Analysis in Civil Engineering 1 & 2 (ICASP5) 1987
Edited by N.C. Lind 1987. Paperback ($50.00)
ISBN 0-9692870-0-3
These volumes contain the manuscripts of the general and
special lectures and the text of the contributed papers presented
at the Fifth International Conference on Applications of Statistics
and Probability in Soil and Structural Engineering, held at
the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, BC May 25-29,
1987.
Risk: Analysis, Perception
& Management
Published by: U.K. Royal Society 1992. Paperback ($45.00)
ISBN 0-85403-467-6
This book is a collection of six chapters including: Introduction;
Estimating Engineering Risk; Toxicology and Nutrition; Estimating
Engineering Risk; Toxicity, Toxicology and Nutrition; Estimation
of Risk from Observation on Man; Risk Perception; and Risk
Management.
Together the chapters provide a comprehensive coverage of
risk assessment and perception from a variety of points of
view which will, it is hoped, give guidance on ways in which
systems for risk identification, assessment and management
can be improved in effectiveness and acceptability.
Risk of Death in Canada:
What We Know and How We Know It
S. Thomas, S. Hrudey 1997 Paperback ($20.00)
ISBN 0-88864-299-7
Presented in clear, accessible language, Risk of Death in
Canada offers both a summary of health risk information and
an explanation of the underlying source and certainty of that
information. Thomas and Hrudey explain both how we understand
risk and how we respond to it.
Through such topics as uncertainty, data collection, risk
perception and risk analysis - and highlighted by tables,
graphs, figures and extensive supplementary material - Risk
of Death in Canada provides a valuable guide for students
and professionals in medicine, nursing, health sciences, health
promotion and public policy.
Risk Management for Dangerous
Goods
Edited by J.H. Shortreed. 1989. Paperback ($15.00)
ISBN 0-88898-089-2
This volume identifies new directions for improving risk
management for dangerous goods in Canada and considers the
major achievements in Canada that have made the movement
of dangerous goods safer. New directions include industry
safety plans, better response capability, training, performance
standards, insurance and risk planning.
This book will be
of special interest to people with direct responsibility
for risk management of dangerous goods, including
regulators, insurance, inspection, police, firefighters,
training personnel, shippers, manufacturers, and transporters.
The papers selected for this volume were presented at the
Workshop on Risk Management for Dangerous Goods held at the
University of Waterloo, Institute for Risk Research in April
1986.
Software Safety: Everybody's
Business
Edited by D. Del Bel Belluz & H.C. Ratz 1994 Paperback
($30.00)
ISBN 0-9696747-4-0
This book focuses on salient issues for third-party review
of software controlled, safety-related systems (those which
pose a risk to human life or health). This book introduces
a risk management approach to making the use of software in
control systems both safer and more acceptable to decision
makers, regulators, and the public at large. Pertinent issues
are illustrated through case studies drawn from several industries
including aeronautical, nuclear, and medical.
The articles in the book reflect the perspectives of a wide
cross-section of practitioners, academics and regulators with
diverse international experience. The contributors are from
various professions responsible for designing, implementing,
and regulation safety-critical software. Many of the contributors
are researchers interested in developing improved approaches
for software design and safety engineering.
Technical Risk Issues
in Business and Regulatory Decision-Making
Edited by Diana Del Bel Belluz, J. Shortreed 1996 Paperback
($40.00)
ISBN 0-9696747-8-3
This book contains the documentation produced in advance
of the Working Colloquium of the same title held in Calgary,
Alberta on September 19-20, 1996.
This book contains two keynote papers and seven Case Example
papers. It also contains a technical and a management review
of each paper. The case examples cover a wide variety of application
areas including:
- Environmental management (soil, air, and water)
- Transportation
- Natural hazards
- Environmental health regulation
- Industrial safety and loss management.
This book features a summary of the discussions and the Colloquium's
two main results: 1) Guidelines for Technical Risk Assessment;
and 2) Guidelines for the Encorporation of Risk Assessment
into Decision-Making.
Transport Risk Assessment
Edited by S. Yagar. 1984 Cloth ($10.00)
ISBN 0-88898-049-3
The symposium which generated this volume examined the analysis
of risk in transport from a variety of disciplines. This multi-disciplinary
aspect highlighted discussions on questions such as the level
of regulation in transport, the extent of better, practical
guidance to transport operators, users and regulators, and
the extent and means of improvement upon the status-quo.
Transportation
of Dangerous Goods: Assessing the Risks
Edited by F.F. Saccomanno, K. Cassidy. 1993 Cloth ($45.00)
ISBN 0-9696747-1-6
This book contains the papers presented at the First International
Consensus Conference on the Risks of Transporting Dangerous
Goods. The central aim of the conference was to provide an
open expert forum for the comparative assessment of quantitative
risk assessment (QRA) models. The papers are organized into
five chapters: application of QRA models to the transport
of dangerous goods; analysis of dangerous goods accidents
and releases; application of simple risk assessment methodology;
uncertainty in risk estimation; and risk tolerance, communication
and policy implications.
Truck Safety: Perceptions
and Reality
Edited by F. Saccomanno, & J. Shortreed 1996 Paperback
($55.00)
ISBN 0-9696747-7-5
This book is the result of a North American conference of
industry stakeholders, government regulators, and highway
safety researchers held to review factors affecting safety
in the trucking industry and to develop a collective view
of critical truck safety issues. Published with support from
Transportation Development Centre and Ontario Ministry of
Transportation, the book features current issues, trends,
and future directions on the following topics:
- Carrier management practices to improve safety and profitability
- Driver fatigue and accident risk
- Causes and consequences of truck accidents
- New technologies in vehicle and roadway design
- Regulation and policy in Canada, U.S. and Mexico
- Load security issues
- Industry stakeholder consensus on critical truck safety
issues and proposed initiatives
Value Assumptions
in Risk Assessment: A Case Study of the Alachlor Controversy
C. Brunk, L. Haworth, B. Lee 1991. Paperback
($20.00)
Published by: Wilfrid Laurier University Press ISBN 0-88920-200-1
Using the alachlor pesticide case as the basis
for their study, the authors set out to examine the views
that risk assessment can be value free and that a risk-benefit
approach to risk management can produce a maximally objective
basis for political decision making. This work brings to light
various problems public policy makers encounter as they grapple
with recommendations from scientific advisors in attempting
to deal with environmentally sensitive issues, for which the
general population demands immediate and effective action. |