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Is This a Problem and, If So, Is Anyone Working on It?
Coupling risk-acceptance decision-makers to risk bearers has received little, if any, attention in the system safety community. Do risk-acceptance analysts consider evaluating and documenting risks to decision-makers? We think not. Decision-makers are not part of the "operating" system and, thus far at least, that's the limit of our analyses. Clearly, unintended consequences may be weighed in decision-makers' minds, particularly where risks of serious harm may bring public rejection or disrepute, civil or criminal liability, and litigation. But for the most part, risks that might occur will be out of sight and mind, and neither weighed nor documented during the decision process.
Do system safety practitioners have professional or ethical obligations, either to their employers or to their products' users, to expand their horizons beyond the narrow limits of immediate system risks? Should they broaden the scope of risk detection methodologies and predictions to try to recognize unintended consequences? Should those potential consequences be brought to the attention of risk decision-makers? After all, in the end, it may be their jobs and reputations that are one of those consequences. No one seems to be considering the problem. If it really is a problem.
What do you think?
Copyright © 2006 by Ira J. Rimson and Ludwig Benner, Jr. All rights reserved.
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