A new risk acceptable criteria (RAC) is derived and compared to those previously reported. The derived RAC is based on previously published industrial and social mortality rates. The derived RAC in this article include acceptable risks (1 x 10(-7)), where no actions are recommended, compared to unacceptable or marginally acceptable levels (1 x 10(-5)), where mitigation actions are recommended. Justifications for these results are included. (C) 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Saf Prog, 2012