“sunlight is said to be the best of disinfectants...” louis d. brandeis (1856-1941)
TRANSCRIPT
Part 10: Risk Communication
“Sunlight is said to be the best of disinfectants...”
Louis D. Brandeis (1856-1941)
Risk CommunicationIs the process of explaining risk.Aims to inform people that are “outside” of
the formal risk analysis process, so that they can understand the risk analysis & provide information to the process.
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The Risk Analysis Framework
HAZARDIDEN TIFICATION
RISKASSESSM ENT
RISKM ANAGEM ENT
R I S K C O M M U N I C A T I O N
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Risk Communication is a process that starts during the preliminary activities and continues until the risk analysis is completed.
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RISK COMMUNICATIONThe purpose of risk communication is
to:Transmit information about the
ongoing process and ultimate results of a risk analysis to stakeholders and the general public.
Receive comments, suggestions and criticism on how the risk analysis is being conducted.
Bring stakeholders into the risk analysis process, giving them the feeling of “ownership” and agreement with the eventual conclusions.
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RISK COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES
Communication strategies involve crafting a message appropriate to the case at hand and its effective delivery to target audiences.
Two sorts of message: general explanation of the risk
analysis process and Detailed information about the
planning and conduct of a specific risk analysis.
Risk CommunicationActivities to be accomplished by the
PRAT:Decide if risk communication is neededIdentify the stakeholdersDecide on the methods of stakeholder
communicationAssign a person responsible for coordinating
and planning communication activitiesDevelop a time schedule for actions to be
takenImplement the programme
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IDENTIFYING STAKEHOLDERSEach risk analysis will have a different set of
stakeholders.General categories include:
Other government agencies Importers/exporters/tradersAquaculturist groupsSports fishing groupsEnvironmental organizations (NGOs)ExpertsGeneral public
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Identifying Stakeholders
Example of potential stakeholders for an oyster pathogen risk analysis:Shellfish farmersShellfish harvesters (wild stocks)Importers/exportersEnvironmentalists/conservationists (NGOs)Government agencies
Biosecurity Environmental protection Legal Enforcement
Competent authority of exporting countryScientific community (experts)General public 9
Risk Communication Methods
A risk communication process and schedule should be established at the start of the Risk AnalysisExamples:
Stakeholder lists Stakeholder meetings Media (newspaper, radio, television) E-mail, postal mailings Telephone Websites
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Risk Communication is a Two Way Street
Government provides information to stakeholders Purpose Process Progress (via regular updates) Conclusions and Results Implications and Impacts
Involves them throughout the processGets feed back and criticismsEnsures transparency
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The Risk Analysis Report Circulation of the draft
risk analysis report to stakeholders for comment is a key risk communication activity.
Risk CommunicationIn controversial risk analyses, some
stakeholders will always be unhappy with the outcomes.
However, with transparency of process, sound science and good risk communication they should understand how and why a decision was reached.
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Key PointsRisk communication is a essential part of
public- sector risk analyses Risk communication is an interactive
process between risk analysts and stakeholders.
It is a continuous process that is begun early in planning a risk analysis and which continues through until decisions are implemented via legislation.
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