Briefing: We are all risk managers

The UK Standing Committee on Structural Safety (Scoss) has considered the subject of structural failures since it was established 34 years ago, on the recommendation of a committee led by Sir Alfred Pugsley. It has never been short of matters to consider.

Over the years its focus has widened from the performance of materials to an emphasis on the wider contributions to failure that usually predominate. This has led to the use of the ‘3Ps’ – people, process and product – which usefully represents the three key categories contributing towards failure or shortcoming in performance. The first two, people and...