Learning from Disasters - Hardcover

Toft, Brian; Reynolds, Simon

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0750606924 ISBN 13: 9780750606929

Publisher: Butterworth-Heinemann, 1994

Synopsis

Taking a systems approach to understanding accidents, the authors analyze what organizations and individuals have learned from natural and man-made disasters, using documentary sources, interviews, and surveys, and case studies of fires in places such as hospitals and railways. They cover systems failure models, public inquiries, schematic report analysis diagrams, use of safety regulations, and personnel training. Of interest to managers and safety practitioners. Annotation copyright Book News, Inc. Portland, Or.

About this title

Review

'This book should be compulsory reading, not just for MBA students and risk managers, but for anyone in a position of responsibility in every type of organisation.' - Steve Fowler, FIRM, Chief Executive, Institute of Risk Management

'While the authors examine the Public Enquiry concept they do offer an alternative in the form of a Systems Failure and Cultural Readjustment Model (SFCRM)... that it is an interesting model and very worthy of consideration. For those seeking to manage the potential of a disaster situation then this book provides valuable information and is thought provoking. It is an invaluable tool for those researching or studying the subject of learning as it is extremely well researched and comes with authority through its authors'. - Mike Welham, Member of the FIIRSM Board of Governers, FIOSH, MEWI

'This book provides a cogent and clear account of how disasters do not just happen - they are the product of organizational processes and systems which are designed to fail. With hindsight, they are almost always preventable events, but we do far too little to analyze and learn from such circumstances. This book offers an important perspective on how disasters and crises can be important learning opportunities for all organisation.' - Professor Kieran Walshe, Director of the Centre for Public Policy and Management, and Professor of Health Policy and Management at Manchester Business School, UK

'Such is its scope and comprehensiveness that there is much in it that applies to medical practice and the safe running of hospitals...The authors set out an illuminatingly simple analysis and description of the underlying concepts of risk management, using examples from areas as diverse as space exploration and medical practice. So if you do come across this book...have a look at it, think about it briefly, and then buy it.' - Julian Woolfson FRCOG, The Obstetrician & Gynaecologist

About the Author

BRIAN TOFT is the Principal, Risk Partnerships. He is also a visiting Professor of Risk Management Faculty of Business, Environment and Society, Coventry University, and an Honorary Visiting Fellow in Risk Management at the University of Southampton.

SIMON REYNOLDS worked for several years in the power engineering industry. He subsequently became a news editor, specializing in online political and macro-economic news. He now works freelance and regularly contributes to magazines and newsletters.

Edition details

• Publisher: Butterworth-Heinemann
• Publication date: 1994
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0750606924
• ISBN 13: 9780750606929
• Binding: Hardcover