Decisions to apply risk and reliability assessment methodology are gaining on popularity thanks to progress made and significant unification of available methods. Statistical data indicate that approximately 20% of noted failures result from regular wear of a given structural element whereas the rest result from defective assembly and faulty operation. The majority of failures belong to the category of incidental/random failures, which signify the appropriateness of applying probabilistic methods in designing and operation of industrial infrastructure.

Reliability and risk analysis methods are tools supporting the choice of recovery measures and the decision making process.

The meeting agenda covered 4 presentations and a discussion on risk assessment. Presented papers provided better insight of problems relating to reliability and risk assessment of technical infrastructure.

Messrs Piotr Jędrysik and Maciej Ziółkowski, PRS presented a paper entitled "Risk Assessment and Reliability of Industrial Facilities", which was followed by a presentation prepared by James Phipps, ABS Consulting, entitled "The Application of 'Bow-Tie' Techniques in Understanding and Managing the Risks of Major Hazards" and given by Benjamin Matellini, ABS. Jacek Winiarski, University of Gdańsk, gave the next intervention regarding "Risk Assessment Method for Investment Projects". The closing paper "Risk Assessment of Ship Structure Applying Risk Models" was presented by Jan Jankowski, PRS Board President.

The symposium provided an opportunity to gain better insight on methods for risk and reliability assessment and to exchange opinions on methodologies applied in practice.