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Risk (system safety)

The combination of how severe a mishap would be and how likely it is to happen.

Definition, in the source's words

MIL-STD-882E, DoD Standard Practice: System Safety (2012), 3.2.28(opens everyspec.com in a new tab)
“Risk. A combination of the severity of the mishap and the probability that the mishap will occur.”

What it means

MIL-STD-882E rates severity from 1 (Catastrophic) to 4 (Negligible) and probability from A (Frequent) to E (Improbable), with F for Eliminated. Its risk assessment matrix turns each pair into High, Serious, Medium or Low.

Example

A hazard rated Catastrophic (1) and Remote (D) is risk 1D, which the MIL-STD-882E matrix assesses as Serious. A control that makes the mishap Improbable (E) moves it to 1E, Medium.

Where it appears on the exam

Questions

What are the MIL-STD-882E risk levels?
High, Serious, Medium and Low, from its risk assessment matrix of severity against probability.

Related

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