Procedures for the identification of black spots, or hazardous locations, are attempts to select some sites out of many to improve safety. These are sites with promise. The historical and conceptual development of such procedures is reviewed. On the basis of this review, an attempt is made to create some order in the thinking. Suggestions are made to improve identification. It is noted that the status of the stage that follows identification, the stage of site safety diagnosis and remediation, is underdeveloped.
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