Framework for developing risk to life evaluation criteria associated with landslides in Canada

Abstract

Abstract The application of quantitative risk assessments is increasing for decision-making in many industries and contexts, with the evaluation of risks against some adopted criteria. In this article, we review risk criteria developed and used for landslide management, in particular criteria associated with risk to life. We show that while this natural hazard is encountered worldwide, the social and regulatory contexts under which evaluation criteria are developed can vary significantly. Thus, the applicability of developed criteria to any specific situation should be assessed before adopting them elsewhere. We describe selected considerations for developing risk evaluation criteria, propose a framework for defining these criteria in Canada, and assess the applicability of previously proposed criteria. Examples of risk criteria development and adoption for new and existing residential developments and for railway employees are presented to illustrate some of these concepts.

Keywords

• Risk evaluation criteria
• Risk assessment
• Decision making
• Risk governance
• Review