CHAPTER SEVEN

ALARP [As Low As Reasonably Practicable]

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Not only do businesses and travel risk managers need to have a clear terms of reference in which to start and model their strategy upon but they will also need to have clearly defined levels, benchmarks or milestones for the outcome of their efforts and the management of risk. Generic low, medium and high indicators and levels are useless and fall short of any acceptable risk management practice. Not only are they non-contextual but they serve no purpose in specifically addressing the risk tolerances and identified hazards associated with the traveller, specific journey, destination or the activity in which they are conducting in the course of doing business while travelling. Economic factors also need to be documented and considered. If it can be demonstrated that a simple, cost effective solution was both available and suitable for the circumstances but not employed, then both the company and manager will have a very difficult time in defending such actions.

Duty of Care: A Buyer’s Guide to Travel Health, Safety and Security

Calculus of negligence It requires the weighing up of the risk in terms of its likelihood and consequences against the time and trouble associated with the measures required to control the risk -  E Bluff and R Johnstone, ‘The Relationship between

“reasonably Practicable” and Risk Management’ (2005) 18 Australian Journal of Labor Law 197 at 201-21

While the “ALARP” principle is not legally binding, the standard of “reasonably practicable” is very specific and descriptive in its requirements. The cost and decision making process however will likely be evaluated by objective sources such as courts, public opinion and juries. It is when exposed to these audiences that many “acceptable” standards unravel. There must be a clear before and after [post modifiers] evaluation of risk in order to demonstrate reasonably practicable.

Duty of Care: A Buyer’s Guide to Travel Health, Safety and Security

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Adap%ve  Processes:  Any  methodology  that  is  founded  only  on  the  ‘here  and  now’  principle  with  regards  to  informa9on  and  assumed  understanding  will  fail.  Travel  is  a  constant  process  of  change  and  requires  a  risk  process  that  is  equally  adap9ve.  

If you’re interested in understanding how to instantly evaluate, educate and monitor the risk for every single traveller and business trip as part of your travel health, safety, security and risk management

What begins as a workplace extension, ends in a business anywhere opportunity “

” -­‐  Tony  Ridley  CEO  Intelligent  Travel