Field Inspection Module for Hydrotechnical Hazards

Pipeline systems must contend with many hazards, of which ground movements such as landslides and washouts represent one type. Under the broader umbrella term, natural hazards, individual ground movement threats can be subdivided into geotechnical and hydrotechnical hazards. A four-phase natural hazard and risk management system (NHRM) is being developed. Although research and development are ongoing, implementation over the past seven years spans approximately 25,000 km of main-line pipeline in North and South America. It complies with CSA requirements for ‘hazard identification’ as well as current standard-of-care guidelines related to case-law in Canada. It is designed as a simple yet reproducible methodology that can be operated by pipeline companies, particularly their field staff. The first two phases of hazard identification/assessment are described here with reference to a recent study of hydrotechnical hazards along the Trans Mountain Pipe Line Co. Ltd. main line from Hinton, Alberta to Kamloops, British Columbia in the mountains of western Canada. The relative hazard ratings generated by the Phase I and II methodology can be integrated into existing risk management methodologies used in the industry. Alternatively, the risk assessment and risk management methodology of the NHRM system can be used as outlined in this paper.

Pipelines and other linear facilities that traverse mountainous terrain may be subject to rock fall and rock slide hazards. A system is required to determine which sites pose the greatest hazard to the facility. Once sites are ranked according to hazard exposure, a risk management program involving inspection, monitoring, contingency planning and/or mitigation can be implemented in a systematic and defensible manner. A hazard rating methodology was developed to identify and characterize rock slope hazards above a South American Concentrate Pipeline, and to provide a relative ranking of hazard exposure for the pipeline, an access road and operational personnel. The rating methodology incorporates the geometry of the right-of-way, estimated pipe depth, staff and vehicle occupancy time, failure mechanism and magnitude, and the annual probability of hazard occurrence. This information is used in a risk-based framework to assign relative hazard ratings within rock slope sections of relatively uniform hazard exposure. This paper outlines a general framework for natural hazard and risk management along linear facilities, describes the rock slope hazard rating methodology, and illustrates how the system was applied along a South American Concentrate Pipeline.

The consequences of natural hazards are frequently estimated by the direct cost of recovering damaged infrastructure and the indirect costs to road users, economic activities, and impacts on society. Road networks are crucial in economic systems, logistic chain continuity, accessibility, mobility, and the evacuation of population during and after extreme events. Risk management systems (RMS) are used to estimate the potential consequences of natural events and to assess strategies for risk reduction. These commonly assess hazards, assets exposure, economic losses, and risk mitigation actions, among others. The general framework of RMS can be adapted to different scenarios. Still, local characteristics, such as the types of hazards and physical assets, cannot always be directly adopted from these systems. This study discusses the development of SIGeR-RV, an RMS developed in Chile for road networks exposed to multiple natural hazards. The RMS was implemented in a web-based geographic information system platform able to display hazard maps, quantify risk levels, prioritize mitigation strategies, and estimate direct and indirect costs and social vulnerability. The content and various capacities of the system are detailed, following the steps marked in its framework. This first version of SIGeR-RV considers seismic hazard, volcanic lahars, and hydro-meteorological hazards that affect road platforms, bridges, tunnels, and cut slopes. The system currently serves as a tool for the Ministry of Public Works of Chile and other decision makers to estimate budget requirements for increasing resilience of the road network, identifying vulnerable road segments, and assessing the socioeconomical impacts of risk reduction.

Rockfalls pose significant threats to infrastructure, transportation routes, and human safety in mountainous regions, making them a critical concern in natural hazard and risk management. Accurate prediction of rockfall behavior is essential for designing effective mitigation strategies. The normal coefficient of restitution (Rn) is a key kinematic parameter for modeling falling rock dynamics, specifically quantifying the energy retained after collision between a rock and a slope surface. While this parameter is not directly used in prevention design, it is crucial for predicting the movement and trajectory of falling rocks and can indirectly support the development of more effective hazard mitigation strategies. However, Rn is influenced by multiple factors, including slope angle, surface material, falling rock shape, and initial velocity. The interactions among these factors make a precise prediction of Rn particularly challenging. Existing theoretical and empirical formulas typically consider individual factors in isolation, often neglecting their interactions, which leads to significant discrepancies in the results. To address this gap, we conducted a series of laboratory physical model tests to investigate the interactions among highly sensitive controlling factors and improve the accuracy of Rn prediction. A self-designed release apparatus, coupled with a high-speed recording and analysis system, was used to capture full kinematic data during rockfall collisions on slopes. This study not only examined how the main controlling factors and their interactions affect Rn but also developed a multi-factor interaction regression model, which was verified using on-site test data. The results show that the effect of the main controlling factors decreases in the following order: falling rock shape, slope surface material, initial velocity, and slope angle. Considering that falling rock shape and slope surface material cannot be quantitatively evaluated, the shape factor (η) and material factor (Aslope) are proposed to represent two controlling factors, respectively. Specifically, increases in η, Aslope, initial velocity, and slope angle are negatively correlated with Rn. Highly significant interactions were observed among falling rock shape–slope surface material, falling rock shape–initial velocity, falling rock shape–slope angle, slope surface material–initial velocity, and falling rock shape–slope surface material–initial velocity. These interactions mitigate the Rn reduction, resulting in a weaker effect than the stacking effect of the individual factors. The phenomenon is primarily attributed to the fact that high-level η, Aslope, initial velocity, and slope angle diminish the effect of intersecting factors. Finally, a comparison of the multi-factor interaction model with on-site tests and empirical formulas revealed the accuracy of the proposed model.

Task. Issues devoted to the delimitation of methods and procedures of related scientific areas: risk management, economic security, management and risk management are studied and researched by many authors. This gives rise to thoughts about a single basic basis for the listed scientific movements. So, the author, in order to avoid constant repetition of listing the scientific directions under consideration in the article, calls them directions, economic categories, etc., but the problem raised by the author of the article is the differentiation of the main elements, in particular methods, procedures, goals, objectives, principles between the studied categories, namely risk management, economic security, management and risk management. The purpose of the article is to systematize the listed elements and consider their duplication in the scientific areas under consideration. Model. The author systematizes, on the basis of those reviewed by modern economists and analysts, as well as classic scientific works, the basic elements of risk management, economic security, management and risk management. An attempt was made to find an answer to the question «are there specific developed methods and techniques for risk management of an organization that would distinguish it from the risk management system and other scientific areas?» Conclusions. Economic categories: risk management, economic security, management and risk management are considered as a single process in economic research, and therefore economists do not have a clear opinion and understanding of the differences between these categories. Practical significance. A comparative analysis of the essence of the main elements of risk management, economic security, management and risk management allows us to determine the most appropriate methods and procedures for the practical application of risk management in organizations. Allows you to develop an understanding of the implementation of risk management principles in organizations to achieve their goals. Originality. The list of goals, objectives, procedures and principles of risk management, economic security, management and risk management has been clarified, expanded and systematized.

In this paper, we show how the concept of tipping points can be interpreted by using the example of natural hazard management. Until now, despite the increasing amount of papers on tipping points in the assessment of geomorphologic hazards and the associated dynamics of research on climate change, there has been little empirical or theoretical engagement with tipping points in risk management and in the adaptive capacity of individual actors or social systems. By bridging this gap, we focus on adaptation initiatives to mountain hazard management and on the question of how these initiatives were triggered using three different study sites in Austria. Necessary system changes root in different nutshells, such as lack of funding, lack of legal incentives to include local interests or lack of space, where classical structural protection schemes cannot respond to the emerging challenges of system dynamics. This paper used a mixed-method approach, including semi-structured in-depth interviews, scenario constructions and policy analysis to assess the potential tipping points in the implementation of innovative systems to manage mountain hazards. The results showed that vital variables influencing the development of new management measures are (1) the current legislation, (2) risk acceptance among authorities and the public, (3) land-use pressure, (4) the demand for innovative solutions, (5) the available technical standards and possibilities and (6) finally the policy entrepreneurship. Concluding the results, contemporary settings concerning risk management strategies will have to change in the future in order to inspire transformative governance arrangements in natural hazard management.

Natural hazards are an inherent component of the coastal zone of the Nador Province in north-eastern Morocco. These phenomena repeatedly disturb the economic, social and environmental balance of the territory by generating impacts on the structural and functional organization of its components. Their recurrence is more and more pronounced, especially with the accelerated pace of climatic instabilities. Faced with such a situation, the authorities in charge of territorial management still continue to favor a management approach that is reactive rather than preventive; in fact, the interventions are always based on the management of emergency situations characterized by one-off actions limited in time and space, and especially driven by the implementation of sectoral action plans, in the near absence of convergence of visions and a proactive approach. The analysis of the first generation of urban planning documents that governed the development of this territory during the last forty years revealed to us the complete absence of taking risks into account in the planning process. At present, it must be admitted that he has some gestation about it. Indeed, the concept of risk is more and more central in planning and urban planning studies, except that there are still several technical and legal points to overcome, especially in the absence of a concerted national policy and framed by a law on the management of natural risks.

The aim of the article is a comprehensive study of the conceptual foundations and models of integrated risk management for industrial enterprises, particularly the machine building sector in Ukraine, in the context of increasing economic uncertainty in the external environment. It has been demonstrated that the effectiveness of enterprise operations largely depends on the quality of the risk management system, which should be an integral part of strategic management. This enables the mitigation of the negative impact of uncertainty and allows risk to be used as a tool to enhance the adaptability and competitiveness of the enterprise. The advantages and disadvantages of the main risk management models are systematized. It is shown that each model has its own methodological logic and area of application; however, the highest level of efficiency is achieved through the integrated use within the corporate risk management system. The article summarizes practical recommendations for building an efficient risk management system in enterprises: establishing a risk management policy and defining strategic directions; implementing international risk management standards; developing an internal control system; involving staff at all levels in risk management processes; and automating control procedures. The research results show that an integrated risk management system, tailored to the specifics of industrial enterprises, enhances the efficiency of managerial decision-making, ensures strategic resilience, and minimizes the impact of external and internal threats. The proposed approaches provide a basis for improving corporate risk management systems in the context of transformation and increasing competition. Prospects for further research involve developing an organizational and economic mechanism for risk management that would consider modern challenges and trends in the development of industrial enterprises, as well as creating a system of indicators to evaluate the effectiveness of risk management, which will allow assessing the efficiency of managerial decisions based on quantitative and qualitative criteria.

Purpose There is a relatively low risk management (RM) level and maturity in China’s state-owned construction enterprises (CSCEs). The purpose of this paper is to find the main factors impacting RM in practice to promote rapid, sound and sustained development in CSCEs. Design/methodology/approach There are a few state-owned CSCEs in China. Most enterprises know little about RM. Because of the limited number of RM departments in these enterprises, 200 questionnaires were sent to the enterprises to investigate the RM strategies employed by them. The research is quantitative and used a questionnaire survey to determine the important factors influencing RM practice. The collected data were analyzed with the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences to identify the most important factors affecting RM as well as the extent of influence of these factors, in order to facilitate further research. Findings The survey revealed the top eight factors (i.e. leaders’ support, personnel’s responsibility, comprehensiveness of identification, costs and benefits, risk appetite, understanding of language, frequency of training and performance management) that highly impact RM in CSCEs and the extent to which these factors impact RM. The data reveal that the average RM level is low. Some methods have been recommended to improve RM. Research limitations/implications The research lays the foundation for further RM development in CSCEs. The low RM level in CSCEs should encourage researchers to find better ways to improve RM. Some factors in the research will function as valuable guides for China’s private and public-private partnership enterprises. Practical implications A quantitative analysis methodology for RM has been developed for CSCEs that can reflect their RM level. In addition, the degree of impact of key factors on RM has been shown. The results can act as a reference to improve RM quantitatively, making the RM system more explicit in dealing with risks more accurately and instructively. Originality/value Structural RM research is utilized to evaluate RM in CSCEs by following an empirical method. With the continuous improvement in RM, CSCEs can cooperate well with construction enterprises of other countries for infrastructure projects and gain more benefits.

Changing Media Structures and the Role of Reporting for the Perception of Natural Hazards and Risk Management

Risk governance is a widely used framework in natural and societal risk management research. Risks from natural hazards in urban areas call for the establishment of rigorous and participatory urban risk governance. In this study, we examined participatory risk governance (PRG) of flood risk management (FRM) in Seoul, South Korea. We conducted key informant interviews and implemented a survey with citizens, to explore perceptions of flood risks and risk management, and to examine prospects for improving PRG in Seoul. We found a gap between the perceptions of key informants and citizens. Key informants believed that citizens’ low awareness of flood risks hinders PRG. Yet our research found that citizens’ risk awareness was not low, and risk awareness may not be the main barrier to participation in PRG. Instead, we found that citizens lacked knowledge of FRM actions, and they assigned government bodies a high level of responsibility for FRM, compared to the level of responsibility that citizens assigned to themselves. Moreover, the actors involved in FRM tended not to trust each other, which implies a lack of mutual understanding. To increase the effectiveness of PRG, we suggest a polycentric governance structure anchored by a leading actor group, and active promotion of the participation of actors at multiple levels of governance. Communication between government and citizen participants, designed to foster improved understanding and recognition of one another’s roles and contributions to FRM, will enhance trust and improve the implementation of PRG in Seoul.

Resilient flood-risk management at the municipal level through the lens of the Functional Resonance Analysis Model

For individual burned drainage basins, existing hazard models and readily available data can be combined in a geographic information system to rapidly estimate debris-flow-related damages following a wildfire. The results can then be integrated into an optimization model, whose output guides allocation of emergency management funds and selection of cost-optimized debris-flow management strategies for burned areas consisting of multiple drainage basins. This paper describes methods to identify and value elements-at-risk from a range of possible post-fire debris-flow scenarios, methods to integrate these results with common debris-flow mitigation techniques and best management practices, and methods to apply this information to optimize the mitigation decisions for burned areas. Despite the potential to transform the way hazard managers approach debris-flow mitigation decisions following wildfires, natural hazard and social science management models have not previously been linked in the literature. Results from Santa Barbara (California), Great Sand Dunes National Park (Colorado), and Colfax/Las Animas Counties (Colorado, New Mexico) study sites indicate that optimization modeling can be used to select natural hazard management methods whose benefit for mitigation of post-fire debris flows can easily outweigh the cost of implementation.

Task. Risk management is a structured approach to identifying, assessing and minimizing risks that may affect the achievement of an organization's goals. The subject of the study is the methodology of risk management of an organization. The object of the study is the risk management system of an organization. The problems are mainly related to the fact that risk management is often based on incomplete or outdated data, which makes it difficult to accurately assess risks. Assessing the probability and consequences of risks can be subjective and depend on the opinion of experts, which can lead to erroneous conclusions. Many methodologies do not take into account uncertainty and volatility, which can lead to underestimation of risks. Risk management is sometimes not integrated into the overall strategy of the company, which makes it less effective. At the same time, new technologies, economic conditions or legislative changes can affect the outcomes. Also, the human factor and cognitive biases can affect the perception and management of risks, for example, ignoring rare but catastrophic events, and the negative influence of management culture, manifested in the lack of encouragement for open discussion of risks or the use of tools to reduce them, negatively affects the results of the organization. Model. To substantiate the methodological aspects of forming the organization's risk management in accordance with the standards. The theoretical and methodological basis of the study was the works of leading domestic and foreign scientists in the field of theory and methodology of risk management of organizations. In the course of the study, a set of general scientific and special methods was used. Analysis and synthesis were used to identify the essential characteristics and components of the risk management system. Conclusions. The methodology of forming the organization's risk management in accordance with the management standards is of theoretical significance in terms of developing scientific and theoretical provisions concerning the construction of a risk management system and improving its efficiency. Practical significance. The practical significance of the study lies in the formation of applied recommendations for forming the risk management system in the context of increasing the balance and adaptability of the organization's strategic priorities to changes in the internal and external environment. The developed methodological approaches to forming risk management, taking into account the parameters of the organization's risk sustainability, are aimed at improving the efficiency of implementing the results of activities in a positive way. Originality. Methodological aspects of forming the organization's risk management in adaptation to modern conditions of economic processes development.

В статье рассмотрены основные риски и проблемы управления ими, влияющие на производственные предприятия ненефтяного сектора в кризисных условиях. Основным барьером в исследовании является несовершенная система риск-менеджмента в нынешних условиях, где значительно обострены как экономические, так и межстрановые социально-политические противоречия, что в свою очередь приводит к снижению конкурентоспособности большей части предприятий. Главная цель – разработать мероприятия по модернизации и усовершенствованию системы риск-менеджмента на промышленном предприятии на основе ключевых элементов, а именно - оценка рисков и принятие управленческих решений. Здесь также отражена методологическая база по управлению рисками, были рассмотрены главные подходы по управлению предприятием в условиях неопределенности, детализирована модель - алгоритм управления рисками в системе долгосрочного управления предприятием. Здесь также предлагается обновленная система управления стратегической стабильностью организации путём разработки системы риск-менеджмента, соответствующей стадии их становления, а также этапу сопутствующей системы. В статье даны рекомендации по модернизации механизма долгосрочного управления промышленным предприятием на базе интеграции основных элементов управления рисками в единую систему управления предприятием. The article considers the main risks and problems of their management that affect production enterprises in the non-oil sector in a crisis. The main barrier in the study is an imperfect risk management system in modern conditions, when both economic and intercountry socio-political contradictions are significantly aggravated, which in turn leads to a decrease in the competitiveness of most enterprises. The main goal is to develop measures to modernize and improve the risk management system at an industrial enterprise based on key elements, namely risk assessment and management decision-making. The article reflects the methodological foundations of risk management, considers the main approaches to managing an enterprise under conditions of uncertainty, and also details the model - an algorithm for managing risks in the system of long-term enterprise management. An updated system for managing the strategic sustainability of the organization is also proposed by developing a risk management system corresponding to the stage of their formation, as well as the stage of the accompanying system. The article gives recommendations for modernizing the mechanism of long-term management of an industrial enterprise based on the integration of the main elements of risk management into a single enterprise management system.