Analysis of a risk prevention document using depend ability techniques: a first step towards an effectiveness model

Abstract

Abstract.Major hazard prevention is a main challenge given than it's particularly based on information communicated to the general public. In France, preventive information is provided by the way of a regulatory document named DICRIM (In French "Document d'Information Communal sur les Risques Majeurs" that 10 means in English "Municipal Information Document on Major Risks"). It is made by mayors and addressed to the public in order to provide information on major hazards affecting their municipalities. Unfortunately, the law imposes only few specifications concerning its content therefore one can question the impact on the general population relative to the way it is concretely realized. Ergo, the purpose of our work is to propose an analytical methodology to evaluate preventive risk communication effectiveness and apply it to the DICRIM. The 15 methodology is based on dependability approaches. EFA (External Functional Analysis) permits the identification of (i) the service and technical functions involved, and (ii) the form, content and regulatory constraints of a DICRIM. FMEA (Failure Modes and Effects Analysis) is used to define the dysfunctions and detection elements are then listed to evaluate conformity with the 3 types of constraint. The outputs are validated by experts from the different fields investigated. Those results are obtained in order to build in future works a 20 decision support model for the municipality (or specialized consulting firms) in charge of drawing up documents. The method is applied to a database of 30 DICRIMs. This analysis leads to a discussion on points such as usefulness of the elements missing.