Safety Governance in Practice: A Vulnerability Approach

Scientists in many fields of research have developed models, theories and concepts attempting to grasp and manage dangers that are often difficult to concretely imagine. Their final objective is to maintain or improve the safety of the system considered. In this respect, the risk-based and the vulnerability-based approaches are different, yet complementary. After presenting the main forms taken by vulnerability approaches in the scientific literature, we elaborate on the potential of “opening-up” such an analysis through the use of a Science and Technology Studies (STS) vulnerability-based approach. We then present results from case studies concerning emergency planning, on the one hand, and an analysis of the perception of the REX system of SCK•CEN, on the other hand. We demonstrate how such an approach contributes to shed light on under-explored aspects of safety and provides a nuanced perspective on actual safety practices. As a conclusion, we propose further work directions to be followed.