RAMA members carry out research on specific topics, primarily around the understanding and conduct of risk assessment, risk decision making, and the performance of safety management systems. This covers all stages of the PDCA risk management cycle: Plan, Do, Check, Act.
Selected examples of RAMA’s current research, reports and papers are below.
We are currently testing the impact performance of natural grass / topsoil surfaces in a variety of sport and play settings. This has been facilitated by the loan of equipment from Sutcliffe Play Ltd. To date, little has been published on the safety performance of natural surfaces, the focus having been on artificial surfaces, yet natural surfaces have many benefits. The issue is, does play on natural recreational surfaces present a significant risk to users in comparison with those benefits.
A PhD dissertation based on research conducted at the Risk Centre of King’s College London by Laurence Ball, published in 2020. The research analysed the contemporary risk landscape in the UK.
It involved interviewing more than thirty senior risk leaders across three different sectors (OSH, aviation/nuclear, leisure) to investigate the extent to which the ultimate goal of proportionality was being achieved in decision-making and crucially, the factors that were impeding this worthy aim. What could different sectors learn from each other, and how might duty-holders be assisted?
A research article by Laurence Ball published as open access in the World Leisure Journal in April 2022 (available here ).
The article examines the problems associated with the application of conventional risk assessment practices to leisure. It finds that in order to overcome these difficulties, a new model that weighs the benefits of activities in safety decisions - benefit-risk assessment (RBA) - is needed.
Authored by David Ball and colleagues Tim Gill and Bernard Spiegal, this 2012 report (available here ) published by the National Children’s Bureau sets out the UK Play Safety Forum’s approach to risk and safety in children’s playgrounds, an approach which is supported by Play England, Playboard Northern Ireland, Play Scotland and Play Wales, plus industry and regulators.
The purpose of this book has been to provide a straightforward and critical account of the process of risk assessment and show how this should be used in managing risks.
Subsequent research by Laurence Ball at King’s College has shown that fundamental issues are still arising in risk assessment and we are continuing to publish academic literature to this effect. We intend to write an updated version of the book.
Although apparently on a separate topic, this 2006 book is about the management of public health which we believe should be integral to any health and safety programme (it puts the ‘H’ back in Health and Safety, or reinforces the point that risk management is not just about physical hazards).
The book has been used for many years by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine as one of a series aimed at providing a foundation for graduates wishing to contribute to the 21stC regeneration of public health.
Strengths and limitations of conventional approaches to risk assessment and management of EMF exposure from 5G and B5G networks. H Mazar and D J Ball, Frontiers in Communications and networks. https://repository.mdx.ac.uk/item/899xx
Risk-based Regulation in the UK: Courtroom Battles Expose Ongoing Problems. L Ball-King, European Journal of Risk Regulation, 2021 12(3), 660-673. doi:10.1017/err.2020.94
Health, the Outdoors and Safety. D J Ball and L Ball-King, Sustainability 2021, 13, 4274. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13084274
Risk and the perception of risk in interactions with nature, D J Ball D and L Ball-King L. In Oxford textbook of nature and public health, Chapter 7.4, pp215=220. OUP. 2018 https://doi.org/10.1093/med/9780198725916.003.0011
Risk and safety in outdoor play. L B H Sandseter, H Little, D J Ball, D. D Eager, M Brussoni. In: Sage handbook of outdoor play and learning. Eds Waller et al., Ch 7, pp113-126. Sage Publications. 2017. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781526402028.n8
Health and safety and the management of risk. L. Ball-King and D. J. Ball, Routledge handbook of risk studies, Chapter 12, pp143-154. Routledge, 2016. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315776835
Can child injury prevention include healthy risk promotion? M Brussoni, S Brunelle, L Pike, IE B H Sandseter, S Herrington, H Turner, S Belair, L Logan, P Fuselli, D J Ball, D. J., 2015. Injury Prevention, 21, 344-347. DOI: 10.1136/injuryprev-2014-041241
Further thoughts on the utility of risk matrices, D. J. Ball and J. Watt, 2013, Risk Analysis 33(13): 2068-2078.
Reflections on the assessment and management of risk, D. J. Ball and L. Ball-King, autumn 2013, 'On Target' AIM Newsletter, 5-6.
Safety management and public spaces: restoring balance, D J Ball and L Ball-King, 2013, Risk Analysis 33(5): 763-771. doi: 10.1111/j.1539-6924.2012.01900.x.
The rise and fall of a regulator: Adventure sports in the United Kingdom, L. Ball-King, J Watt and D J Ball, 2013, Risk Analysis 33(1): 15-23. DOI: 10.1111/j.1539-6924.2012.01850.x
The risk to the public of tree fall, D. J. Ball and J. Watt, 2013. J. Risk Research 16(1-2): 261-269.
Foreign Travel and the Risk of Harm, D J Ball and N Machin, International J Injury Control and Safety Promotion, 2006, 13(2), 107-115.
Environmental Risk Assessment and the Intrusion of Bias. D. J. Ball, Environment International, 28 (2002), 529-544.
Playgrounds – Risks, Benefits, Choices. D. J. Ball, report No. CRR 2002/426, HSE Books and website http://www.hse.gov.uk/new/index.htm, 2002. ISBN 0 7176 2340 8.
Ships in the Night and the Quest for Safety. D. J. Ball, Injury Control & Safety Promotion, 7 (2), 83-96, June 2000.
Risks and Benefits of Sports and Exercise: Part 3 - Looking ahead. D. J. Ball, Sports Exercise and Injury, 4, pp 174-182, 1998. ISSN 1351 0029.
Risks and Benefits of Sports and Exercise: Part 2 - Gauging the benefits. D. J. Ball, Sports Exercise and Injury, 4, pp 74-79, 1998. ISSN 1351 0029.
Risks and Benefits of Sports and Exercise: Part 1 - Assessing the Risks. D. J. Ball, Sports Exercise and Injury, Vol. 4, No. 1, pp 3-9, 1998. ISSN 1351 0029.
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