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ALARP Principle- As Low As Reasonably Practical

ALARP Principle
INTOLERABLE REGION
Risk cannot be justified
ALARP REGION
Risk is undertaken only if a
benefit is desired and steps
must be taken to reduce the risk
is As Low As Reasonably
Practical (ALARP)

ACCEPTABLE REGION
Risk reduction not likely to
be required

Driving a car

Being struck by lightning

Being struck by a meteorite

Based on: NHS Quality Improvement Scotland

ALARP - Example
The HSE classify risks into three groups

those that are not acceptable which would fall within the top of
this triangle in what is know as the intolerable region i.e where the
chances of death are greater than 1 in a thousand. If we were to
operate a business which exposed the public to these sorts of
risk, we would be prosecuted.

those that are so unlikely that they can be disregarded. To give

you an idea of how low these risks are, the risk of being struck by
lightning would fall into this region, as would winning the lottery
(you are more likely to be struck by lightning).

those between these two extremes where the HSE considers the
risk to be broadly acceptable as long as you have done everything
that is practical to minimise it i.e those that fall within the ALARP
region.

Source: Health and Safety Executive (HSE)

Informed Risk Decisions - 2010
menachem@riskdecisions.co.il
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