Getting resilience into safety programs using simple tools - a research background and practical implementation

Simple tools that can be used to support safety decision making under uncertainty are being developed by the Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) that will help with incorporating resilience into safety programs. This paper provides the scientific background to the development of these tools and provides a brief introduction to their content and use. The tools are for use in uncertain and surprise situations where the classic normative management approach to safety using rules, standards and controls cannot be applied. The idea is to support users in going through an uncertainty reducing process in order to increase the chance of successful recovery from situations which could otherwise have severe safety consequences.