In this module, System Safety Risk Analysis, we’re going to look at how we deal with the complexity of the real world. We do a formal risk analysis because real-world scenarios are complex. The Analysis helps us to understand what we need to do to keep people safe. Usually, we have some moral and legal obligation to do it as well. We need to do it well to protect people and prevent harm to people.
This post is part of a series:
This is SSRAP Module 2.
Aim: How do we deal with real-world complexity?
What is System Safety?
The Need for Process;
A Realistic, Useful, Powerful process:
Context, Communication & Consultation;
Monitoring & Review, Risk Treatment; and
Required Risk Reduction.
Transcript: System Safety Risk Analysis
What is System Safety?
To start with, here’s a little definition of system safety. System safety is the application of engineering and management principles, criteria, and techniques to achieve acceptable risk within a wider context.
This wider context is operational effectiveness – we want our system to do something. That’s why we’re buying it or making it. The system has to be suitable for its use. We’ve got some time and cost constraints, and we’ve got a life cycle. We can imagine we are developing something from concept, from cradle to grave.
And what are we developing? We’re developing a system. An organization of hardware (or software) material, facilities, people, data, and services. All these pieces will perform a designated function within the system. The system will work within a stated or defined operating environment. It will work to produce specified results.
We’ve got three things here: a system; the operating environment in which it is designed to work; and, we have its function or application. Why did we buy it, or make it in the first place? What’s it supposed to do? What benefits is it supposed to bring humankind? What does it mean in the context of the big picture?
That’s what a system is. I’m not going to elaborate on systems theory or anything like that. That’s a whole big subject on its own. But we’re talking about something complex. We’re not talking about a toaster. It’s not consumer goods. It’s something complicated that operates in the real world. And as I say, we need to understand those three things – system, environment, purpose – to work out Safety.
This is Module 2 of SSRAP
This is Module 2 from the System Safety Risk Assessment Program (SSRAP) Course. Risk Analysis Programs – Design a System Safety Program for any system in any application.
The full course comprises 15 lessons and 1.5 hours of video content, plus resources. It’s on pre-sale at HALF PRICE until September 1st, 2024. Check out all the free preview videos here and order using the coupon “Pre-order-Half-Price-SSRAP”. But don’t leave it too long because there are only 100 half-price courses available!
Meet the Author
Learn safety engineering with me, an industry professional with 25 years of experience. I have:
•Worked on aircraft, ships, submarines, ATMS, trains, and software;
•Tiny programs to some of the biggest (Eurofighter, Future Submarine);
•In the UK and Australia, on US and European programs;
•Taught safety to hundreds of people in the classroom, and thousands online;
•Presented on safety topics at several international conferences.
