Disaster Risk

Reduction and
Management
NSTP CHAPTER III
Disaster Risk Reduction and
Management
The policy objective of anticipating and reducing risk
is called disaster risk reduction (DRR). Although often
used interchangeably with DRR, disaster risk
management (DRM) can be thought of as the
implementation of DRR, since it describes the actions
that aim to achieve the objective of reducing risk.
Disaster Risk Reduction
Historically, dealing with disasters focused on
emergency response, but towards the end of the 20th
century it was increasingly recognized that disasters
are not natural (even if the associated hazard is) and
that it is only by reducing and managing conditions of
hazard, exposure and vulnerability that we can prevent
losses and alleviate the impacts of disasters.
Since we cannot reduce the severity of natural hazards,
the main opportunity for reducing risk lies in reducing
vulnerability and exposure.
How do we reduce risk?
Disaster risk management involves activities related to:
Prevention
Activities and measures
to avoid existing and new
disaster risks (often less
costly than disaster relief
and response). For
instance, relocating
exposed people and
assets away from a
hazard area.
Mitigation
The lessening or
limitation of the adverse
impacts of hazards and
related disasters. For
instance, constructing
flood defenses, planting
trees to stabilize slopes
and implementing strict
land use and building
construction codes.
How do we reduce risk?
Disaster risk management involves activities related to:
Transfer
The process of formally or
informally shifting the financial
consequences of particular risks
from one party to another whereby a
household, community, enterprise or
state authority will obtain resources
from the other party after a disaster
occurs, in exchange for ongoing or
compensatory social or financial
benefits provided to that other party.
For instance, insurance.
Preparedness
The knowledge and capacities of
governments, professional response
and recovery organizations,
communities and individuals to
effectively anticipate, respond to,
and recover from the impacts of
likely, imminent or current hazard
events or conditions. For instance,
installing early warning systems,
identifying evacuation routes and
preparing emergency supplies.
Disaster Risk Management
DRM programmed should not be standalone but instead be
integrated within development planning and practice, since
disasters are an indicator of failed or skewed development, of
unsustainable economic and social processes, and of ill-
adapted societies 
Approaches need to address the different layers of risk
(from intensive to extensive risk), underlying risk drivers, as
well as be tailored to local contexts.
There is no ‘one-size fits all’ approach to DRM, but there exist
a number of approaches and frameworks, which have been
effectively implemented to reduce disaster risk. But, before
being able to reduce risk, we need to understand the hazards,
and the exposure and vulnerability of people and assets to
those hazards.
Disaster Risk Management
Consequently DRM includes strategies designed to:

 avoid the construction of new risks

 address pre-existing risks
 share and spread risk to prevent disaster losses being
absorbed by other development outcomes and creating
additional poverty

Although DRM includes disaster preparedness and response

activities, it is about much more than managing disasters.
Hazard and Disaster

Hazard is a dangerous situation or event that carries a threat

to humans. A disaster is an event that actually harms humans
and disrupts the operations of society. Hazards will be
considered disasters once they affect humans, but if they
occur in an unpopulated area, they will remain hazards.
Hazards are a normal occurrence on our planet and cannot be
avoided. It  has all the potential to be harmful, but won’t
actively harm humans or our environment.
Examples of Hazards in the Work
Place
It can be hard to identify hazards in a working environment. They can
take many different forms and include:

 Slips and Trips: single biggest cause of injury at work (31% of

workplace injuries in UK, HSE 2018). Caused by poor
housekeeping, unsuitable footwear, insufficient maintenance
 Working from Height: one of the major causes of workplace
fatalities. Includes ladders, scaffolds, roofs, or any raised work
area
Examples of Hazards in the Work
Place
It can be hard to identify hazards in a working environment. They can
take many different forms and include:

 Lifting Operations: hazards include being struck by a falling load,

overturning or people falling from height. This is covered
by LOLER regulations in the UK and includes excavators, forklifts,
cranes, MEWP’s, tail lifts, passenger/goods lifts etc.
 Pressure Vessels: hazard of stored energy as a result of the
failure of a pressure system
Examples of Hazards in the Work
Place
It can be hard to identify hazards in a working environment. They can
take many different forms and include:

 Workplace Plant and Equipment: equipment must be suitable for

the intended use and maintained in a safe condition. This
covered by the PUWER regulations in the UK
 Electricity: present most work environments, electricity presents
high hazard potential
Examples of Hazards in the Work
Place
It can be hard to identify hazards in a working environment. They can
take many different forms and include:

 Fire Safety: hazards exist in most workplaces and the

consequences can be very severe
 Workplace Transport: the risk of injury from moving vehicles is
present in almost all workplace
Examples of Natural Disasters
10 Ways to prevent common accidents
and protect your small business

Some industries, like construction, regularly deal with

potential hazards and danger. They have safety measures at
work and guidelines in place to prevent workplace accidents
and mishaps. However, managing a small business or being
an entrepreneur, you may think your business and the type of
work you do is free of risk; a common misconception. Here
are a few tips to prevent common workplace accidents and
mitigate risks to your business.
10 Ways to prevent common accidents
and protect your small business

Avoid slips and falls

Repair damage to flooring that could cause someone to trip
and keep hallways clear of clutter. Outside, ensure all
walkways are shoveled and salted immediately after snow
falls.
Be aware of electrical hazards
If you have several items plugged in at desks, make sure you
invest in an Uninterruptible Power Supply to protect
computers and keep the power from spiking. If renovations
are being done that involve electrical systems, move staff to a
safe work area.
Ways to prevent common accidents
and protect your small business

Limit manual handling and lifting

If jobs require people to lift items regularly, ensure a system is
in place to get at hard-to-reach items. If they need to lift heavy
objects, make sure employees have the tools they need and
know operate them safely.
Keep a well-stocked first aid kit in plain sight
If you have a large office, place several kits throughout the
area and make sure someone on staff is trained in first aid.
Ways to prevent common accidents
and protect your small business

Create an emergency action plan

Outlines emergency exits, practice fire drills, co-ordinate safe
meeting places and create a system to account for
employees’ whereabouts.
Identify staff who may need extra help in an emergency
Involve them in planning for their safety, and make sure the
office is accessible, prepared for fires, power outages and
other unexpected events.
Ways to prevent common accidents
and protect your small business

Promote fire safety

Identify potential fire hazards in your office and train staff how
to use fire extinguishers.
Avoid injuries by storing items safely
Place heavier items lower to the ground and distribute weight
evenly in cabinets and on shelves.
Ways to prevent common accidents
and protect your small business

Help reduce back pain and repetitive strain injuries

Make sure desk chairs are properly adjusted, and computer
monitors are at the right height for each user. Proper
ergonomics will aid the longevity and health of staff that work
at desks all day.
Protect your business against water damage
Service HVAC equipment regularly. Pipes and other
components in the system can leak, making the working
environment more humid than it should be, which may give
rise to other problems like mold.