Book reviews-
Risks in Technological Systems
Detailed review of:
Risks in Technological Systems
Publishers
: Springer- Verlag, London
Editors
: G. Grimvall, . Holmgren, P. Jacobsson and T. Thedéen
Title
: Risks in Technological Systems
Year of Publication
: 2010
Pages
: 341
ISBN
: 9781848826403
Reviewer
: Krishna B. Misra
Status
: Review published in IJPE, Vol. 6, No. 2, March 2010, p. 180.
The book consists of 19 chapters as follows:
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Chapter 1
Introduction: the Global Risk Arena, Technological Systems and This Book
06 Pages
Chapter 2
Reflections on Risks and Technology
11 Pages
Chapter 3
Risks in the Past and Present
14 Pages
Chapter 4
The Dangerous Steam Engine
11 Pages
Chapter 5
Risks and Safety in Building Structures
22 Pages
Chapter 6
Risks in Conversion of Energy
16 Pages
Chapter 7
Chemical and Physical Health Risks-Chemicals, Radiation, and Noise
28 Pages
Chapter 8
Safety Factors and Exposure Limits
10 Pages
Chapter 9
How dangerous is it to travel
20 Pages
Chapter 10
IT- Risks and Security
18 Pages
Chapter 11
Vulnerability of Infrastructures
13 Pages
Chapter 12
Risk Management
24 Pages
Chapter 13
Risk Analysis
26 Pages
Chapter 14
Fire and Explosion
19 Pages
Chapter 15
The Human Factor
10 Pages
Chapter 16
The Perception of Risks of Technology
19 Pages
Chapter 17
The Value of a Life
17 Pages
Chapter 18
Tacit Knowledge and Risks
12 Pages
Chapter 19
How to worry in Moderation
14 Pages
Appendix A: Some Basic Concepts of Statistics
09 Pages
Appendix B: Study Help
04 Pages
Appendix C: Editors and Contributors
03 Pages
Index
05 Pages
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It is true that no technology is free from risk associated with it. It is a basically a question of what the human society can tolerate and what it cannot It is left to choose between the technologies and their alternatives based on the acceptable level of risk. This is a very good introductory book on technological risks. It develops historically how the concept of risk developed over time and how one can deal with it analytically and manage it. The authors of various chapters have been working in their respective area of expertise. The book covers a very wide area of engineering applications and is quite informative and practically covers all aspects of risk in technological systems (excluding financial risk) but the book is not intended for researchers or analysts who may be looking for new developments in the area. Dwelling on the historical developments the books takes a reader on a journey through the developments in transportation and automobile systems starting with steam engine and turbines to air, rail, road and shipping. Risks associated with conversion of energy be it thermal, hydro, gas or even nuclear have been introduced. Risks associated with buildings and man-made structures including risks from fire and explosions find coverage in this book. Limits to exposures to chemical and radiation dozes and noise along with other health hazards to human beings have been discussed. Even the security risks due to developments in information technology find coverage in this informatory book. The reviewer feels that the book can serve as good source of information on all kinds of technological risks and as such should appeal to a beginner or a student of engineering who likes to have a panoramic view of risks associated with various technological developments of our time. Obviously such a large compendium of number of topics would lack the depth of treatment of the subject. A chapter on value of life is quite appropriate but should have been the starting point of any discussion on technological risks.Krishna B. Misra
Review published in the International Journal of Performability Engineering in Vol. 6 , No. 2, March , 2010, p. 180.