Implementing a risk management approach

The perception of risk in society has undergone clear changes in recent years giving the notion of security and safety a prominent place. The demand for zero risk is illustrated in particular by the precautionary principle1 which requires any public or private decision-maker to take or refuse to take action depending on the potential risk. Indeed this evolution of society towards the social unacceptability of risk has been accompanied by a significant increase in legal actions and condemnations of establishments professionals and the State2 which in turn has had an impact on regulations and led to the emergence of a new approach to risk management. This approach is nowadays becoming more and more important.