Resources

Essential Information

Offered:

  • SP1, 2008
  • SP2, 2008
  • SP3, 2008

Core Unit for:

  • N/A

Elective Unit for:

Assessment:

  • Assignment 25%
  • Examination 75%

Pre-Requisites:

  • None

UNIT 415: ENGINEERING RISK MANAGEMENT


Overview

This unit is intended to provide you with an overview of engineering risk management techniques. It introduces the concept of the two-dimensional nature of risk and emphasises the need for assessment of both dimensions (severity and likelihood) for ascribing priorities in directing the risk dollar. Systematic and structured hazard identification techniques are introduced with a number of illustrative examples. The focus is on low likelihood–high consequence risk events, as these cannot be assessed by using epidemiological studies or actuarial techniques.

Aims

After studying this unit you should be able to:

  • identify the key issues that have a significant impact on the risks associated with engineering activities
  • understand the fundamentals of risk identification, measurement and control
  • use hazard identification and risk management tools to propose and analyse realistic risk scenarios and develop risk management strategies
  • explain the usefulness, applicability and limitations of risk assessment as a decision-making tool
  • discuss the applicability of safety and environmental management systems
  • participate in corporate engineering risk management programs
  • explain the issues involved in risk perception and risk communication, and develop risk communication skills.

Topics

  • The concept of risk
  • Risk management overview
  • Identifying hazards and potential loss events
  • Estimating the severity of consequences
  • Estimating event likelihood and measuring and ranking risk
  • Decision making under uncertainty
  • Risk management tools
  • Emergency management and recovery
  • Risk perception and acceptability
  • Risk communication

Study Guide Author

Cherilyn Tillman
PhD, MAppSci (Occ Hazard Mgt)

Cherilyn Tillman is the author of the current edition of this Study Guide. She is currently Team Leader, Occupational Health & Safety at VECCI (Victorian Employers Chamber of Commerce and Industry), where she provides consulting and training to a range of clients including local governments, Engineering Education Australia, Engineers Australia (Victorian Division) and Thales Australia.

Cherilyn specialises in OHS management systems, laboratory safety, process industry safety, technical risk management, and OHS and risk management training and education. Prior to her current position at VECCI, Cherilyn was a Senior Associate at Risk & Reliability Associates Pty Ltd where she worked on a variety of risk-oriented projects for different clients.

Unit Chair

Richard White
BE, MEngSci, PhD

Richard is a Senior Lecturer at the University of the Sunshine Coast. Richard has worked in many industries: iron and steel, coal, pharmaceuticals, water and wool. He has worked on water supply and wastewater treatment projects in the UK, and as the Technical Manager in a leading wool scouring and carbonising company in Melbourne. His teaching areas include environmental engineering, pollution control and engineering management systems (including audits and QMS/EMS). His additional research interests include reactor design and operation.