Managing Risks in the Railway System

A Practice-Oriented Guide

verfasst von: Konstantinos Tzanakakis

Verlag: Springer International Publishing

Buchreihe : Springer Tracts on Transportation and Traffic

Enthalten in: Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik" , Springer Professional "Technik" , Springer Professional "Wirtschaft"

Einloggen, um Zugang zu erhalten

Über dieses Buch

This book offers a comprehensive and practice-oriented guide to risk management, with a special emphasis on the physical and environmental risks related to the operations of railway systems. It is intended to provide a roadmap for managing the risk by controlling safety. Starting with a concise historical introduction and by presenting basic concepts of risk management, the book describes in turn the railway systems and their complexity. Then, it goes in depth into the process of risk management, describing the main elements, from risk identification, analysis and assessment to risk monitoring and communication. Different risk assessment techniques are reviewed in detail, and the main components of a risk management plan are presented. The book concludes with an introduction to health risk management, describing strategies for performing health risk assessments for staff in safety-critical positions. Based on the conviction that controlling safety is the main strategy in managing risk, and on the fact that the systems we would like to control are complex ones, this book provides transport and safety engineers with the necessary knowledge to effectively managing the risks of the railway system.

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Frontmatter

Chapter 1. An Introduction to Risk Management/Setting the Scene

Abstract

This chapter introduces risk management. In our Organizations, risk is a natural part of doing business, but the good thing is that risk can be managed. Dealing with risks started in ancient Mesopotamia dating back to about 1754 B.C., but risk management study began after the Second World War. Because of disasters in recent times, risk management became an increasingly important activity. We now live in a complex world, significantly different from 50 to 60 years ago; systems that used to be independent are now interconnected and interdependent, meaning they are by far more complex. The railway system is a complex system, composed of many interconnected subsystems and this affects the safety of the railway system. The basic terms of risk management (Fault–Failure–Hazard–Risk–Safety) are presented and clarified with many examples. The relation of risk to safety as also the parameters that are important for establishing a safe railway system are presented. Governments invest in railway systems that have to be efficient; How and why risk management is as an important factor for a safe and efficient railway system is discussed. By reading this chapter, you will get a basic understanding of risk management and the related basic terms and understand why managing the risks is an essential component for an efficient railway system.

Konstantinos Tzanakakis

Chapter 2. The Concept of Risk Management

Abstract

Risk management is a key element of all Organizations’ strategic management. Proper risk management increases the likelihood of success and helps Organizations achieve their overall goals. The alternative to risk management is risky management. An overview of the current frameworks for risk management around the world are presented: in the Civil Aviation Sector, the Enterprise Risk Management, the Project Management Institute (PMI), the Intergovernmental Organization for International Carriage by Rail (OTIF) and the risk management framework in different countries: the UK, the European Union, the USA, Japan, Canada and Australia/New Zealand. A comparison of those risk management frameworks is provided. Finally, managing changes, the “change management process” aimed at ensuring that changes are implemented in a safe manner and ensuring that the Infrastructure Managers or Train Operating Companies (Railway Undertakings) continue to comply with the legal framework as also their certification conditions and restrictions will be discussed. By reading this chapter, you will understand why we need risk management and recognize that there are different approaches on how to manage risks and how an effective “change management process” will assist Infrastructure Managers or Train Operating Companies (Railway Undertakings) in the decision-making process.

Konstantinos Tzanakakis

Chapter 3. The Process of Risk Management

Abstract

This chapter is dedicated to the processes of risk management. In Chapter 2 (The Concept of Risk Management) the risk management frameworks are examined in different countries in Europe, the American continent and Australia/New Zealand as also at different Organizations. The risk management process as per the Australia/New Zealand standard will be the basis for this Chapter. The following key elements will be discussed in detail:

Establishing the context has to do with understanding the Organization’s background and its risks and identifying and analyzing stakeholders.
Risk identification has to develop a list of sources of risks and events that might have an impact on the achievement of each of the objectives identified in the previous step: establish the context.
Risk analysis aims to provide an understanding of the level of risk and its nature, and to help set priorities and options for treatment.
Risk evaluation will guide in deciding whether that risk is acceptable or not.
Risk treatment will help to choose one or more treatment options for each unacceptable risk.
Monitoring and review to assess the effectiveness and appropriateness of the risk management strategies and systems.
Communication and consultation with internal and external Stakeholders to improve the risk management process.

After reading this Chapter you will understand the key elements of the risk management process

Konstantinos Tzanakakis

Chapter 4. Risk Assessment Techniques

Abstract

Various tools and methods are used for the assessment of risk. As presented in Chapter 3 (The Process of Risk Management), Risk Assessment includes Risk identification, Risk Analysis and Risk Evaluation. Following Risk Assessment techniques for risk identification, risk analysis (consequence analysis; qualitative, semi-quantitative or quantitative probability estimation; assessing the effectiveness of any existing controls; estimation the level of risk) and risk evaluation as per ISO/IEC 31010:2009 are presented with an indication of their applicability for the various processes: 4

Brainstorming
Structured or semi-structured interviews
Delphi simulation technique
Checklist analysis
Preliminary hazard analysis
Hazard and operability studies (HAZOP)
Root cause analysis
Failure mode effect analysis (FMEA and FMECA)
Fault tree analysis (FTA)
Event tree analysis
Decision tree
Bow tie analysis
Monte Carlo simulation
Cost/benefit analysis

This chapter also discusses the Risk Management Plan, a document that describes at a high level how an Organization manages its risks and how the entire process is embedded in the activities of the Organization. Reading this Chapter you will get to know Risk Assessment techniques and their applicability (for risk identification, risk analysis and risk evaluation). You will also understand the objectives of a Risk Management Plan

Konstantinos Tzanakakis

Chapter 5. Health Risk Management (For Staff with Safety-Critical Positions)

Abstract

Thissafety-critical chapter provides practical guidance to assist rail Organizations in performing health risk assessments for staff with safety-critical positions. For all health assessment decisions, a risk management approach forms the basis to ensure that the type of health assessment matches the risks associated with different work related to safety. The health risk management process aims to: • identify what could go wrong in the case of physical or psychological ill-health; • assess the consequences, and; • establish appropriate controls for the risks associated with ill-health. Following will be presented in this chapter: • presentation of work critical to safety; • an overview of the risk categories and related health assessment provisions; • a step-by-step guide to the risk assessment of tasks critical to safety and the health attributes needed for the tasks; • guidance for identifying health assessment requirements for specific tasks, such as colour vision. Work related to safety may also have specific occupational health and safety risks associated with it, for example, noise or manual handling. These are outside the scope of this Chapter and should be managed as required by relevant occupational health and safety regulations.

Konstantinos Tzanakakis

Backmatter

Titel: Managing Risks in the Railway System
verfasst von: Konstantinos Tzanakakis
Verlag: Springer International Publishing
Electronic ISBN: 978-3-030-66266-0
Print ISBN: 978-3-030-66265-3
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-66266-0

Springer Professional

Über dieses Buch

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Frontmatter

Chapter 1. An Introduction to Risk Management/Setting the Scene

Chapter 2. The Concept of Risk Management

Chapter 3. The Process of Risk Management

Chapter 4. Risk Assessment Techniques

Chapter 5. Health Risk Management (For Staff with Safety-Critical Positions)

Backmatter

Premium Partner