| Abstract | A feature of modern society is that much of our environment is created by ourselves and, therefore, we are responsible for its possible effects, e.g., pollution, death or injury, or economic loss. Safety regulations and laws needed to control these dangers must be based on the risks we are willing to accept since absolute safety from these dangers cannot be attained. This paper makes a study of the types of risk and defines those which should be considered in safety regulations as basic risks. An analytical procedure to determine basic risks is proposed which takes into account social, moral and economic requirements. This paper provides a useful insight into the question "How safe is safe enough?" which arises, for example, in setting building code rules to protect the public against such catastrophes as fire or collapse. |
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