We have read a great number of articles related to the true cost of the failure of Samarco dam. However, only recently we saw the Samarco dam disaster cumulative damages effects actually detailed (see below). The dam failed in November 2015, killing at least 19 people, making 700 people homeless, and polluting hundreds of miles of Rio Doce river, all the way to the Atlantic Ocean. In its annual report, just filed last week, BHP Billiton detailed what the true…
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Anthropocene Geohazards Multi-dimensional Consequences Analysis are paramount for meaningful risk management models. In too many cases risk studies take into account losses in a limited way, either by ill-will or by misunderstanding of the real implications of an accident or event. Anthropocene Geohazards Multi-dimensional Consequences Analysis The need for a unified, emergency/accident scale is vital to facilitate clear communication and mutual understanding of the nature of the emergency, by the public, government agencies, and responding organizations. It has been stated…
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Lac Megantic, biases, incomplete consequences, and regulations Lac Megantic, Canada, railroad derailment tragedy reportedly brought direct destruction and casualties on a radius of 200-400m when a number of hydrocarbon tank cars exploded. Once again media and public opinion realized later on that the immense suffering endured by the community extends it’s shadow far away from the point and time of the tragedy with far reaching indirect consequences (exclusions zone, logistic, loss of market share, bankruptcies, increase of jobless, depression, environmental,…
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Back in 1999, we were giving on a regular basis a course at UBC (Continuing Education, University of British Columbia). It was entitled “Design of Risk Management Systems”. Later, in the book entitled Improving Sustainability through Reasonable Risk and Crisis Management ( A guide to Making Better Decisions ISBN 978-0-9784462-0-8) we promoted a strong linkage between Risk Management and Crisis Management. We also stresse the need for robust, science based, risk ranking methodologies. Today we will look at ISO 31000 IEC,…
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While Talking with People about Risks it is not uncommon that people ask me what I do for a job. Once I tell them I am a Risk Management Consultant they ask: “do you work on financial risks?”. I generally reply that if they mean risks linked to banks I do not. However I quickly point out thar at the end of the day all risks are financial! If a lightning takes down the electric substation and your factory is…
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Today we discuss how to rationally select among alternatives in long term projects with CDA-ESM. This post is companion to the already published: How to get the most out of (Vegetable) Waste Oil for your Small or Medium Business. How to rationally select among alternatives in long term projects with CDA-ESM CDA-ESM can help you to select the best option. CDA-ESM is about rationally select among alternatives in long term projects with CDA-ESM. We use an ”average sized” fast food restaurant…
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