Hazard Catalogue: A Basis for Hazard and Risk Analyses
Background
Switzerland is exposed to a large number of hazards capable of producing fatalities, health-related consequences, property and environmental damage and impairing social cohesion. Hazards must be identified and their consequences known if they are to be combated effectively.
The hazard catalogue provides authorities with a tool to support them in deciding which hazards are relevant for the assessment area in question, e.g. for a canton or a commune.
The catalogue includes hazards that could arise in Switzerland or produce significant consequences for Switzerland, which makes them particularly relevant to civil protection and its partner organisations.
Three hazard domains
The hazards listed in the catalogue are assigned to one of three domains – nature, technology and society – and grouped into subcategories. They are intentionally left unranked in terms of importance or severity. In order to accommodate user requirements, this new edition of the catalogue contains additional hazards that are relevant to the cantons and communes or would impact critical infrastructure.
How to use the hazard catalogue
The hazard catalogue forms an important component of integrated risk management in civil protection. It is particularly useful for people and institutions involved with hazard and risk analysis and strategy development, for example authorities at federal, cantonal or commune level and operators of critical infrastructure.
2023 revised edition
The hazard landscape is constantly shifting, as climate change, digitalisation, urbanisation and other dynamic factors are driving a state of permanent flux. The catalogue must therefore be reviewed and updated regularly, in order to provide users with reliable and up-to-date information.
This edition has been revised in cooperation with numerous specialist authorities from the federal government, the cantons and the communes and representatives from the private sector and the scientific community. Areas requiring work were identified through group workshops, technical discussions and broad-based written surveys.
The example events have also been revised. They are used to illustrate the hazards and the various forms they can take, making the concepts easier to grasp for potential applications.
The new expanded edition of the catalogue dedicates a further chapter to developing trends, and their associated opportunities and challenges, in reflection of their growing importance.
The catalogue is available in German, French and Italian.
Excel Working List
The list of hazards is available as an editable Excel spreadsheet that can be adapted to your own needs. You can order the document by entering the required information below and clicking on ‘Send’. The list will be sent to you by email.
Index
Contact
Continued Development Civil Protection
Guisanplatz 1B
CH - 3003 Bern