What does the term ‘residual risk’ refer to in LOPA?

Residual risk refers to the level of risk that remains after all protective measures and safety systems have been put in place. In the context of Layer of Protection Analysis (LOPA), it's essential to identify what remains unmitigated after applying various layers of protection. This term is critical because, despite the implementation of safety measures, it is often impossible to eliminate all risks entirely.

By understanding residual risk, organizations can assess whether the remaining risk is acceptable within their risk tolerance criteria or if additional measures are necessary. This concept reinforces the notion that risk management is an ongoing process, requiring continuous evaluation and potential adjustment of protective measures to manage the remaining risk effectively.

The other choices do not accurately capture the concept. Total risk before any safety measures are applied would refer to inherent risk, while risk that is eliminated by preventive measures speaks to an ideal scenario rather than the reality of residual risk. Additionally, the accepted risk is typically characterized by organizational standards but does not define residual risk specifically. Therefore, recognizing residual risk is vital for thorough risk management and decision-making in any operational context.