Changes

Risk assessment is a tool for the objective evaluation of risk, and is increasingly used in veterinary epidemiology - in particular, in relation to international trade in animals and animal products. Risk assessment forms a part of an overarching '''risk analysis''' process, which also incorporates risk management (the process whereby the risk is reduced) and risk communication (which involves the dissemination of relevant information to stakeholders). In risk assessment, the concept of risk can be viewed as the product of the '''likelihood''' of an event occurring and the '''consequences''' of that event.

Risk assessment is a tool for the objective evaluation of risk, and is commonly performed by veterinary epidemiologists. Its use in the setting of veterinary epidemiology has increased in recent years, particularly as a tool for the objective consideration of the risk of movement of pathogens through international trade in animals and animal products. Risk assessment is only one component in an overarching '''risk analysis''' process, which also incorporates risk management (the process whereby procedures are implemented in order to reduce the risk) and risk communication (which involves the ongoing dissemination of relevant information to stakeholders). However, these other components of the risk analysis process will not be covered in further detail here as they are predominantly the responsibility of risk managers and policy makers.<br>

 

In the context of risk assessment, the concept of '''risk''' can be viewed as the product of the '''likelihood''' of an event occurring and the '''consequences''' of that event. Additionally, the '''perception''' of the event is an important consideration, which can have a large impact upon risk. One example of a hazard which is generally ''perceived'' to be risky is radiation from nuclear power plants, due to a number of characteristics such as invisibility, association with long-term human health risks (including cancers), not viewed as being necessary, and being created from a process which many people do not understand. Therefore, when deciding where to site a nuclear power plant, consideration of the risk should include the likelihood of radiation release (which will generally be very low/negligible), the consequences of this (which are very high) '''and''' the perception of the risk by people who would live near to the power station.

==Hazard identification==

==Hazard identification==