Author Archives: greg

#318 – IS MAKING ASSUMPTION SIMILAR TO MAKING MISTAKES – FRED SCHENKELBERG

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Over the past week, I received a couple of interesting questions. One concerned assuming a Weibull beta value for an accelerated life test plan. The second involved assuming expected life models for elements within a reliability block diagram.

In both cases, we faced incomplete data and uncertainties, yet felt the need to assume some values in order for the math to work out. We do make assumptions in order to solve problems. We also can make mistakes that lead to unwanted consequences. Continue reading →

#318 – IF I STAY AWAY FROM SICK PEOPLE, I’M SAFE FROM COVID. RIGHT? ALLEN TAYLOR

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Yes and no. It’s complicated.

Early in the Covid-19 pandemic, we didn’t know what we were up against. We suspected that touching a surface that had been touched by an infected person might transmit the disease to us. We thought that Covid-19 was like the flu. Things have turned out differently.

  • Touching surfaces that an infected person has touched has not turned out to be a major mode of transmission.
  • Covid-19 is like the flu in that both diseases are caused by viruses, but the similarity ends there.

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#317 – PROFESSIONAL LEGAL LIABILITY FOR ENGINEERS AND SAFETY PROFESSIONALS – BILL POMFRET PH.D.

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There has been debate over the years regarding the liability of Safety Practitioners for the design, job site Inspection, safety and contract administration. When it is discussed, the magnitude of potential personal liability is frequently poorly understood. The reality is that a safety engineer can be personally & professionally liable through tort law theories even when practicing for an employer. Continue reading →

#317 – BECOMING A RISK MANAGER – ANDREW SHEVES

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Becoming a risk manager can seem to be more art than science. There’s not a clear pathway from degree to junior risk manager to senior risk manager to CRO (Chief Risk Officer) in the same way that you can chart the progress from freshly minted CPA (Certified Public Accountant) to head of Ernst & Young. (Financial risk management is the exception here as there is usually a clear path there.)

So why is the risk manager career path fuzzy compared to other professions? Continue reading →

#317 – HAPPINESS @ RISK – SIMPLE FEEL GOOD HACK – STEPHEN VILLAESCUSA

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During the pandemic, 12 million American households added a dog to the family. Countless more are adopting mindfulness practices to help with stress and anxiety. Can these two be combined? Absolutely.

Why meditate with your dog?

For many people meditation is difficult. Our mind wanders. We get distracted. Following our breath can be boring. Continue reading →