Some extensions on risk matrix approach

This paper introduces the basic concepts of risk as the research background and reviews a widely applied semi-quantitative tool for risk assessment, namely risk matrix approach (RMA) as well as its typical variations. Based on the deep analysis of the essence and defects of RMA, some extensions on risk matrix approach are presented and their superiorities compared with the related quondam methods are demonstrated by a case study. The features and advantages of the new extensions are discussed and the prospects of the future study are addressed. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.