Canadian Standards Association: Risk Management Guidelines.* James W. Wright, Transport Canada, 344 Slater Street, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, KIA ON5
There are currently half a dozen or more approaches to Risk and Risk Management being promoted throughout Canada. This plethora of risk management processes has generated a great deal of confusion within government, industry and the general public as to: "What exactly is risk management?" and "Which risk management methodology is best?" As well, each approach has developed its own set of jargon which further complicates any attempted communication about risk issues. A solution to these problem would be the development of a single recognized approach to risk management that would address the needs, issues and concerns of all stakeholders in the risk management process including those making risk management decisions. A single approach would reduce confusion and would facilitate better communication about "risk" and risk issues. The Canadian Standards Association (CSA) is managing the development of a Canadian standard (guideline) for risk management and risk management activities. Unique to the Canadian approach is the incorporation of risk communication and risk perception as essential components of this Risk Management Decision Process. This Canadian guideline is being developed primarily for the benefit of the decision maker in risk management issues: the regulator, the corporate or public (municipal) risk manager et al. The paper will present, in detail, the Canadian Risk Management Model and its parallel Risk Communication Model. The discussion will stress the importance of incorporating risk perception and risk communication into the risk management decision process.