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Data sets were compiled from the MHIDAS data bank for incidents where there had been five or more fatalities, ten or more injuries, 50 evacuations, or US$1 million damage. The data were converted to magnitudes on the Bradford Disaster Scale and analysed using maximum likelihood. Parameters determined from the estimation procedures were compared for compatibility between themselves and the results of analyses using other data.

Analyses maintenance data collected by Greater Manchester Fire Service for their fire‐fighting vehicles and their equipment over the period 1980‐90. Details the three stages of analysis: preliminary, reliability, metrology. Reports the results of the preliminary analysis only. Draws specific and general conclusions for the study.

Discriminant analysis techniques can select, from a large number of feature variables available, a relatively small subset, which will in combination produce optimum prognostic power. This combination of discriminators will then characterise system failure. Induced Gaussian normality in discriminant scores will lead naturally to logistic failure profiles, which compare favourably with observed failure rates. Replacement policies for systems at risk can be developed based on the overall efficiency of allocation rules or perhaps better their sensitivity to locate failures. In the example considered, the choice of sensitivity (within the neighbourhood of optimum efficiency) appears to have little effect on the total cost of misclassification.

Examines Just‐in‐Time (JIT) from its evolution as a Japanese concept through to a review of its philosophy and implementation. Cites several techniques of implementation. Includes a review of the early work of various researchers and practitioners. Concludes that JIT is a very effective manufacturing philosophy which is universal in nature encompassing all aspects of manufacturing. Suggests a few deficiencies in current literature.

Generally, in the contracting industry, the contractor works in an,environment of risk and uncertainty caused by the economic factors such as fluctuations in the costs of labour and materials. This paper examines the overall effect of these factors on the policy for claiming payments under the price escalation clause type of contracts. Particular reference has been made to the formula ‘F’ of the Water Tube Boiler Maker's Association (WTBA), England. It has been shown that under certain circumstances the contractors can optimise the benefit, or minimise the loss, arising from changes in the costs of labour and materials due to inflation. An appropriate alogrithm based on dynamic programming is given.

Presents a method of analysis to obtain risk profiles for major adverse events. The method is based on a previously published method for probabilistically modelling historical data of past major accidents and disasters. Shows that insurable costs arising from such major events can be modelled using the two‐parameter Weibull distribution. Values of parameters obtained using different data sets are seen to be comparable in value. Discusses the relevance of this work to risk analysis and identifies areas of research requiring future development.

Describes the Bradford Disaster Scale (BDS) classification system. Designed to compare disasters arising from different sources, BDS is logarithmic in nature and is based on the number of fatalities involved in the occurrence of a disaster. Provides examples of a general nature to which the model is applied, including natural and man‐made disasters both worldwide and European. More specifically, applies the model to the total number of disasters occurring during the period 1970‐87 within the chemical and allied industries. Outlines recommendations, including preliminary hazard assessment for using, improving and extending the model.

The nature of radiated radio frequency fields and the ways in which they may cause either beneficial or deleterious effects are reviewed. The uniqueness of this phenomenon in relation to the drafting of safety guides, and hence ultimately in relation to law, is pointed out. The existing strategy for the drafting of safety guides depends on the determination of “reasonable worst‐case” parameters for each of the mechanisms involved in the coupling process from source to potential hazard. The decisions on what constitutes a reasonable worse case are taken by an expert committee, but comparison of the resulting safety guides with the scant evidence of proven hazards suggests that the worst‐case view leads to a substantial overestimate of the actual hazards. It is suggested that this situation would be likely to be found to be extremely unsatisfactory if ever a hazard situation (whether proven, contended or hypothetical) were to be the result of litigation between belligerent parties. It is further suggested that substantial amelioration of this situation could result if a probabilistic view of the problem were taken. In this case the expert committee would decide on realistic probability density functions, rather than realistic worst‐case factors.

Over the past two decades the “Just‐in‐Time” (JIT) manufacturing philosophy has increasingly influenced operation and production systems of many Western manufacturing companies. As a consequence, many other manufacturers are now currently considering adopting this technique. A valuable help in the consideration of the implementation of JIT is the accumulated experience of those companies which have already successfully implemented JIT. Describes the experience of a sample of firms in Europe who were respondents to a specially designed questionnaire which was sent out as part of a major study.

Reports on part of a research programme to elicit and interpret information regarding top management attitudes towards safety in the European chemical and petrochemical industries. Addresses the following areas: authorization of safety policy; commitment towards safety; special safety visits to production plant areas; the quality of participation in safety programmes; top management views on the importance of maintenance with regard to safety; and safety in relative importance to other management responsibilities.