Safety & Risk in Engineering

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Questions and Answers

What should be prioritized when communicating risk to the public?

Employing clear and simple language (correct)

Focusing solely on financial implications

Minimizing the information shared

Using technical jargon

What is the primary purpose of the capabilities approach in risk assessment?

To define wellbeing in terms of individual capabilities (correct)

To reduce financial costs associated with disasters

To provide a one-size-fits-all solution to risk

To assess the monetary value of assets

In tort law, what must an engineer demonstrate to defend against liability claims?

Innovative risk management strategies

Extreme caution in decision-making

Adherence to the standard of care (correct)

High levels of technical expertise

Which of the following is NOT a recommended consideration when assessing acceptable risk?

Financial gain for engineers Signup and view all the answers

What should engineers be aware of to become responsible practitioners?

The complexities of risk assessment Signup and view all the answers

When acknowledging uncertainty in risk communication, what is crucial to do?

Be transparent about limitations of assessments Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the standard of proof in tort law?

Lower than in science Signup and view all the answers

What is an important step in the capabilities approach to risk assessment?

Measure the impact of hazards on wellbeing Signup and view all the answers

How is risk quantitatively defined by engineers?

As the product of the probability of harm and the magnitude of that harm Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of innovation is highlighted in relation to risk management?

Innovation can introduce new risks that need to be identified and managed Signup and view all the answers

What do design codes primarily provide to engineers?

Rules proven to produce safe designs and prevent unacceptable risks Signup and view all the answers

How does the public generally perceive familiar versus unfamiliar risks?

Unfamiliar risks are often viewed as more dangerous than familiar risks Signup and view all the answers

What is essential for the public's acceptance of risks?

Free and informed consent and equitable distribution of risk Signup and view all the answers

What type of risks are considered more acceptable by the public?

Voluntary risks that individuals choose to take on Signup and view all the answers

What focuses engineers on quantifiable harms?

Traditional engineering approaches to risk assessment Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes operational and maintenance rules?

They are crucial for managing risk in the operation of engineering systems Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Safety & Risk in Engineering

Lecture 6 of Introduction to Engineering and Ethics course
Course code: 1400111011
Instructor: Asst. Prof. Mete Öğüç
Focuses on ethical and professional responsibilities of engineers regarding risk assessment and management.

Responsibility to Assess and Manage Risk

Risk is assessed and managed from different perspectives (engineers, public, government regulators).
Legal implications are also considered.
Engineers define risk as the product of probability of harm and magnitude of harm.
Traditional approach focuses on quantifiable harms like economic losses and loss of life.

Design Codes, Operational Rules, and Innovation

Design codes provide proven rules for safe designs, preventing unacceptable risks.
Operational and maintenance rules are crucial for risk management during engineering system operation.
Innovation can increase risk, necessitating careful identification and management of new risks arising from new solutions.

The Public's Perspective on Risk

The public tends to perceive unfamiliar risks as more dangerous than familiar risks, even if probabilities are similar.
Voluntary risks are often considered more acceptable than involuntarily imposed risks.
Free and informed consent, as well as equitable distribution of risk, is essential for public acceptance.

Communicating Risk to the Public

Use clear and simple language, familiar terminology, to ensure public understanding.
Acknowledge limitations in risk assessments.
Recognize the importance of social and ethical considerations beyond monetary cost-benefit analysis when determining acceptable risk.

The Engineer's Liability for Risk

Tort law addresses harm caused by negligence, requiring a preponderance of evidence.
The standard of proof in tort law is lower than the standard of evidence in science or criminal procedures.
Engineers need good records and adherence to the standard of care for defense against liability claims.

The Capabilities Approach to Risk Assessment

Wellbeing is defined by individual capabilities.
Identify capabilities that a disaster might affect.
Measure the impact of hazards on individual wellbeing.

Becoming a Responsible Engineer

Awareness of risk assessment complexities and diverse perspectives.
Effective communication with the public, acknowledging concerns, and providing expert information.
Protecting people from harm, especially when risks are not consented to, or unjustly distributed.

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Description

This quiz covers Lecture 6 of the Introduction to Engineering and Ethics course, focusing on the ethical and professional responsibilities of engineers in risk assessment and management. It discusses various perspectives on risk evaluation, legal implications, and the importance of design codes and operational rules for safety.