As Low As Reasonably Practicable (ALARP)
The term ‘As Low As Reasonably Practicable’ (ALARP) is commonly used in safety management to refer to residual risks in the workplace, which should be reduced to as low a level as it reasonably practicable to achieve. Similar alternatives terms include; ‘So Far As Is Reasonably Practicable’ (SFAIRP) and ‘As Low As Reasonably Achievable’ (ALARA).
ALARP relates to the time, cost and effort required to control a risk balanced against the severity of the risk. When a risk is reduced to a point that is ALARP, the cost and effort involved in reducing the risk further would be disproportionate to the amount of benefit that would be gained.
What is ‘reasonably practicable’ is typically based on assessment, common sense, best practice, and the duties set out in the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act (1974). A further definition was laid down by the Court of Appeal in the case of ‘Edwards v. National Coal Board’ [1949]:
‘’Reasonably practicable’ is a narrower term than ‘physically possible’ … a computation must be made by the owner in which the quantum of risk is placed on one scale and the sacrifice involved in the measures necessary for averting the risk (whether in money, time or trouble) is placed in the other, and that, if it be shown that there is a gross disproportion between them – the risk being insignificant in relation to the sacrifice – the defendants discharge the onus on them.’
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Health and safety.
- Health and safety at work etc act 1974.
- Health and Safety Executive.
- How to write a method statement.
- Near miss.
- Notify HSE.
- Reporting accidents and injuries on construction sites.
- Risk assessment.
- Risk assessments and method statements.
- Risk management.
- Safety management.
- So far as is reasonably practicable.
- So Far As Is Reasonably Practical.
- What is a hazard?
Featured articles and news
A case study and a warning to would-be developers
Creating four dwellings for people to come home to... after half a century of doing this job, why, oh why, is it so difficult?
Reform of the fire engineering profession
Fire Engineers Advisory Panel: Authoritative Statement, reactions and next steps.
Restoration and renewal of the Palace of Westminster
A complex project of cultural significance from full decant to EMI, opportunities and a potential a way forward.
Apprenticeships and the responsibility we share
Perspectives from the CIOB President as National Apprentice Week comes to a close.
The first line of defence against rain, wind and snow.
Building Safety recap January, 2026
What we missed at the end of last year, and at the start of this...
National Apprenticeship Week 2026, 9-15 Feb
Shining a light on the positive impacts for businesses, their apprentices and the wider economy alike.
Applications and benefits of acoustic flooring
From commercial to retail.
From solid to sprung and ribbed to raised.
Strengthening industry collaboration in Hong Kong
Hong Kong Institute of Construction and The Chartered Institute of Building sign Memorandum of Understanding.
A detailed description from the experts at Cornish Lime.
IHBC planning for growth with corporate plan development
Grow with the Institute by volunteering and CP25 consultation.
Connecting ambition and action for designers and specifiers.
Electrical skills gap deepens as apprenticeship starts fall despite surging demand says ECA.
Built environment bodies deepen joint action on EDI
B.E.Inclusive initiative agree next phase of joint equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) action plan.
Recognising culture as key to sustainable economic growth
Creative UK Provocation paper: Culture as Growth Infrastructure.
Futurebuild and UK Construction Week London Unite
Creating the UK’s Built Environment Super Event and over 25 other key partnerships.
Welsh and Scottish 2026 elections
Manifestos for the built environment for upcoming same May day elections.
Advancing BIM education with a competency framework
“We don’t need people who can just draw in 3D. We need people who can think in data.”