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] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- 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.
- What is a hazard?
Featured articles and news
Case study in the use of soft landings at the University of the West of England.
Richard Rogers wins is the AIA’s highest annual honour.
A quick introduction to a healthier and more sustainable form of construction.
The structural feasibility of modular high-rise buildings.
Health wellbeing and productivity
BRE conference on ways of providing and maintaining quality indoor environments.
CDBB publish foundational definitions and values to guide the development of the National Digital Twin.
Despite the reduction in staffing, most users remain satisfied with the service.
We run through the top 37 styles in history - but how many would you recognise?
Improving approaches to risk in the built environment sector.
Megatrends: Smart Building Technology.