On the importance of systems thinking when using the ALARP principle for risk management

Abstract

In this paper, we discuss the importance of systems thinking when using the As Low As Reasonably Practicable (ALARP) principle to support decision-making in risk management. The ALARP principle is a fundamental principle in risk management, stating that risk-reducing measures should be implemented, provided that the costs are not grossly disproportionate to the obtained benefits. Different tools are used to verify ALARP and gross disproportion; by large, however, the underlying thinking appears to be focused on single measures in isolation. This way of thinking can lead to misguided decision support, potentially resulting in lower than intended effect on safety and overinvestments. Firstly, considering a measure in isolation does not necessarily lead to an appropriate weighting of the relevant uncertainties. Secondly, focusing on safety measures in isolation can prevent all relevant costs and benefits associated with a particular measure from being identified and then considered in the ALARP process. It is with respect to these issues that the paper aims to contribute to the understanding of how to interpret the ALARP principle in risk management. Without systems thinking, we argue that ALARP and the gross disproportion criterion are likely to be based on a foundation that ignores important factors.