Understanding the Tolerability of Risk in Industrial Settings
Risk tolerability is a crucial aspect of managing safety in any industrial operation. Whether you’re operating a chemical plant, energy facility, or manufacturing line, it’s essential to ensure that your risk targets are appropriate and aligned with both regulatory and corporate expectations.
At OTECSA Consulting Ltd, our team frequently works with clients to assess risks and identify whether tolerability targets are being met. But this raises a key question:
Who sets these risk tolerability targets—and how?
This question was at the heart of one of our recent internal technical sessions, where Owen presented thought-provoking insights on the topic.
What We Explored in Our Technical Session
The session encouraged us to challenge conventional thinking and dig deeper into:
1. The Differences Between Individual and Societal Risk
Understanding how individual risk (affecting one person) differs from societal risk (impacting a larger group or community) is fundamental. Each requires different management approaches and tolerability levels.
2. Setting Tolerability of Risk Targets
The team explored the complexity of defining risk tolerability targets. While guidance from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) mentions tolerability levels, it often lacks definitive thresholds—leaving much room for interpretation. This gap can create challenges in decision-making and compliance.
Useful Resource: HSE – ALARP Guidelines
3. Legacy vs. New Plants
Risk tolerability for existing or legacy facilities may differ from those being newly commissioned. The technical discussion addressed:
- How historical safety standards influence legacy plant assessments
- The need for different benchmarks for new vs existing assets
4. Client Engagement on Risk Targets
Should we go deeper with clients to help them understand the targets they’re working toward? Our team believes so. Risk targets should be clearly defined, relevant, and not just box-ticking exercises.
Why Risk Tolerability Matters
A lack of clarity in risk tolerability targets can:
- Lead to inconsistent process safety assessments
- Result in increased costs as unjustified measures may be recommended
- Undermine the effectiveness of your safety management systems
- And result in non-compliance with health and safety standards if gaps are present
By developing clearer, smarter tolerability thresholds, organisations can make better-informed decisions and demonstrate genuine commitment to safety.
Want to Learn More?
If you’re thinking about refining your risk tolerability targets—or if you’re unsure where to start—we’d be happy to help.
Book a virtual lunch & learn session or invite us on-site. These are great opportunities to bring your team together to talk through:
- Common misconceptions
- Mistakes in risk target setting
- Practical case studies and examples
- How to set effective targets
📧 Email us at: [email protected] to discuss your needs.