A summary of the 'ALARP’ principle and associated thinking

In the UK, the ALARP principle is a legal requirement and applied to all industries. This paper provides an introduction to the UK approach to the ALARP principle and the associated key concepts, summarising – what the ALARP principle/thinking means, why ALARP thinking is used, and when and how the ALARP principle is utilised. The paper describes the thinking necessary to produce the story on how the risks have been reduced to levels which may be considered to be ALARP. Also, the descriptions of key ALARP thinking are provided. Furthermore, as part of the ALARP approach, key ALARP tests – the outline of safety hierarchy (ERICPD), Relevant Good Practice, Optioneering – are discussed. The paper concludes by providing three simple case studies of office situations, to help the reader understand how ALARP thinking is used and its application.