Risk research vs. risk management: The challenge of implementation

In the context of an intense production of knowledge and development of new technologies, the main challenge for risk researchers is the timely and efficient use of their research results to support risk-based decision making.... [ view full abstract ]

In the context of an intense production of knowledge and development of new technologies, the main challenge for risk researchers is the timely and efficient use of their research results to support risk-based decision making.

This paper discusses the role of scientific experts as support to authorities and industry and describes several initiatives contributing to bring together the stakeholders involved in risk management and to transfer to the practitioners the knowledge and technologies gained through research. The paper describes in particular initiatives aiming at transferring research results to standardization (example of the EC Funded nanoSTAIR project, www.nanostair.eu-vri.eu); the creation of platforms to enhance interactions between research, industry, policy-makers, NGOs, trade unions and regulators (example of the European Technology Platform on Industrial Safety, www.industrialsafety-tp.org), or the ERA-NET instrument for research programming enabling to organise joint call for projects funded by several governments or research funding agencies (example of the ERA-NET on industrial safety - SAF€RA, www.safera.industrialsafety-tp.org and the history of the joint calls are at: www.safera.eu).

The analysis concludes that to support the dialogue between the stakeholders on risk issues, it is important to create occasions to exchange views and concerns on risks related to emerging technologies and to share knowledge on the current state of the art. This has to be organized and the initiative that have been presented can be duplicated. Hopefully these thoughts can inspire new initiatives and projects that will support the sharing of existing knowledge, their communication and their implementation. All this is highly needed to enable an effective risk management that supports the technological development and ensures the sustainable business of the industry for the well-being and well-fare of our societies, without hampering the environment and the health of people.