Risk Reduction & ALARP

Learn how to minimise risk in industrial settings using structured risk assessment methods and the ALARP (As Low As Reasonably Practicable) approach. Understand how to apply ALARP principles across the project lifecycle, from design to operations and decommissioning.

Course information

Risk Reduction & ALARP training is available in the following formats

Two Hour Awareness Module One Day Face-to-Face Course One Day Virtual Course

Learning objectives

Describe the legal and regulatory context for ALARP, including key UK (e.g., HSE) and international references
Explain the concept of risk tolerability and how ALARP fits within the overall risk management framework
Understand ALARP considerations during project start-up, feasibility, and concept selection
Apply ALARP demonstration principles during detailed engineering and design development
Implement through-life ALARP management, including operations, maintenance, and decommissioning
Use proportionate risk evaluation methods to identify, prioritise, and justify ALARP measures
Differentiate between proportionate and grossly disproportionate risk reduction in decision-making
Apply cost-benefit analysis (CBA) and qualitative approaches for demonstrating ALARP
Prepare and present ALARP arguments within safety cases, regulatory submissions, and internal governance processes

Key contents

Introduction to risk reduction concepts, tolerability criteria, and ALARP principles
Legal frameworks and regulatory expectations (UK HSE, international good practice)
Risk assessment tools and their role in identifying ALARP measures (HAZOP, LOPA, QRA, bowtie)
ALARP application in project feasibility, concept selection, and option screening
Demonstrating ALARP during detailed design and engineering
Integrating ALARP into operations, maintenance, modifications, and decommissioning
Understanding gross disproportion and its role in ALARP decisions
Cost-benefit analysis (CBA), engineering judgement, and qualitative assessment approaches
Documenting and presenting ALARP justifications in safety cases, COMAH reports, and regulatory submissions
Best practices for ALARP demonstration: evidence collection, gap closure, and continuous improvement
Common pitfalls and challenges in ALARP demonstration, and how to address them

Prerequisites

Basic familiarity with risk assessment concepts or safety management is recommended. No prior experience with ALARP demonstration is required.

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How Can I Demonstrate ALARP?

Understanding and applying the ALARP principle is key to effective risk management and legal compliance in safety-critical industries.

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Related Services

ALARP Demonstration

The ALARP (As Low As Reasonably Practicable) principle ensures that industrial risks are reduced to a level where further measures would be grossly disproportionate to the additional safety benefit. ALARP demonstration balances risk reduction, cost, and effort, helping organisations choose sensible, justifiable controls. This approach underpins major accident hazard regulations and is embedded in frameworks like the UK Health and Safety at Work Act, COMAH Regulations, Offshore Installations (Safety Case) Regulations, Seveso III Directive, HSE HSG 65, ISO 31000, and ISO 45001.

Land Use Planning (LUP)

Land Use Planning (LUP) ensures that industrial facilities are located, designed, and operated in ways that minimise risks to local communities. LUP supports safe separation distances, appropriate zoning, and informed decision-making. It plays a critical role in protecting public safety, and complying with frameworks such as the Seveso III Directive, COMAH Regulations and planning regulatons.

DSEAR Risk Assessment

DSEAR (Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations) assessments are required in UK workplaces handling flammable gases, vapours, mists, dusts, or explosive atmospheres. These assessments instill the ALARP principle, starting with inherent safety, ventilation, ignition control and mitigation. By focusing on both technical and organisational controls, DSEAR risk assessments help protect people (as well as property) from fire, explosion, and related hazards.

Quantitative Risk Assessment (QRA)

Quantitative Risk Assessment (QRA) systematically estimates the likelihood and consequences of hazardous events, including fires, explosions, and toxic releases. QRA provides a robust, data-driven basis for managing safety, environmental, and economic risks in high-hazard industries, supporting ALARP demonstration and informed decision-making.

Safety Cases and Safety Reports

A Safety Case or HSSE (Health, Safety, Security & Environmental) Case demonstrates that a high-hazard facility has identified its major accident hazards, assessed the associated risks, and implemented sufficient controls to reduce those risks to a tolerable or ALARP level. Safety cases are tailored to industry, site-specific, and regulatory requirements, providing assurance to regulators, workforce, and stakeholders that risks to people, the environment, and assets are systematically identified, managed, and continuously monitored. They play a central role in regulatory regimes such as the Nuclear Installations Act, UK Offshore Installations (Safety Case) Regulations, COMAH Regulations, and Seveso III Directive.

Bowtie Analysis

Bowtie analysis provides a visually intuitive, structured approach to understanding how hazards can lead to major accident events and how barriers prevent or mitigate these outcomes. By mapping threats, consequences, and barriers, bowtie diagrams foster engagement, ownership, and accountability at all organisational levels. Our expertise in bowtie analysis helps organisations strengthen barrier management, demonstrate ALARP, and proactively manage operational risk.

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