Public Safety and Risk Assessment

'Many myths focus on issues where health and safety is apparently responsible for curtailing beneficial public activities. This has been reflected in the evidence I received. Some are concerned that health and safety law is now being applied to situations for which the original legislation was not intended (for example operational activities of the Emergency Services, the education sector and public events). Ball and Ball-King's recent book helpfully summarises the key issues surrounding the risk assessment process in the context of public safety.'

- Ragnar E Loefstedt, Reclaiming Health and Safety For All: An Independent Review of Health and Safety Legislation, Crown Copyright 2011

"So many worthwhile activities are banned or rejected in the name of Health and Safety. Everyone should read this book to see that very often these bans are not justified" - Sir Chris Bonington

"This book strips away the mysticism and jargon from health and safety, subjecting it to rational analysis. It shows that safety precautions always have to be paid for, in money and lost opportunities, and involve choices which cannot be left to experts but should concern all members of a democratic society"- Lord Hoffman.

"Safety is important, but it is not paramount. This book exposes the myths and reinstates the choices we have in determining our lives. Trade-offs are unavoidable. We need to make them with as much care and understanding as we can muster. Read how" - John. D Graham, Dean, School of Public and Environmental Affairs, Indiana University.

'Many myths focus on issues where health and safety is apparently responsible for curtailing beneficial public activities. This has been reflected in the evidence I received. Some are concerned that health and safety law is now being applied to situations for which the original legislation was not intended (for example operational activities of the Emergency Services, the education sector and public events). Ball and Ball-King's recent book helpfully summarises the key issues surrounding the risk assessment process in the context of public safety.'

- Ragnar E Loefstedt, Reclaiming Health and Safety For All: An Independent Review of Health and Safety Legislation, Crown Copyright 2011

"So many worthwhile activities are banned or rejected in the name of Health and Safety. Everyone should read this book to see that very often these bans are not justified" - Sir Chris Bonington

"This book strips away the mysticism and jargon from health and safety, subjecting it to rational analysis. It shows that safety precautions always have to be paid for, in money and lost opportunities, and involve choices which cannot be left to experts but should concern all members of a democratic society"- Lord Hoffman.

"Safety is important, but it is not paramount. This book exposes the myths and reinstates the choices we have in determining our lives. Trade-offs are unavoidable. We need to make them with as much care and understanding as we can muster. Read how" - John. D Graham, Dean, School of Public and Environmental Affairs, Indiana University.