So what is a risk?
And how do we deal with different hazards?
In life, there are many inherent,
real and perceived hazards,
from traffic accidents
to natural disasters,
passing by illnesses,
food poisoning and others.
So think that we do potentially
dangerous activities almost every day,
like crossing a street or taking a bus or driving.
So everybody could be considered a risk analyst.
We perceive our world and surroundings
and we evaluate all the actions.
So that means that we choose every day
depending or based on perception of risk
and benefits of the actions that we take.
So technological development in industrialized countries produces,
on one hand,
remarkable improvement in the quality of life,
and also, the proliferation of industrial facilities.
But on the other hand,
we also increase the number of new risks.
There is an emergence of risks
which can cause serious accidents
with a strong impact on the population and the environment.
So there is a need to reduce those risk
to an acceptable level,
a level compatible with the objectives
of sustainable development.
So it is necessary to identify the hazards associated
with the operation of industrial facilities,
and analyze and evaluate all these risks.
Finally, our main goal is to gain knowledge
of the risk associated with the operation of industrial or power plants,
especially thinking in nuclear power facilities.
That means,
the evaluation of the frequency and the probability
of an accident that could happen,
but, most probably, will never happen,
and the effects of such an accident
and the consequences.