The System Safety Society The System Safety Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the Safety Professional in the application of Systems Engineering and Systems Management to the process of hazard, safety and risk analysis.  The Society is international in scope and draws members throughout the world.  It is affiliated with major corporations, educational institutions and other agencies in the United States and abroad. The System Safety Concept For almost any system, product, or service, the most effective means of limiting product liability and accident risks is to implement an organized system safety function beginning in the conceptual design phase, and continuing through to its development, fabrication, testing, production, use and ultimate disposal. The System Safety Society is a non-profit organization (IRS Classification 501(c)(6)) of "Professionals Dedicated to the Safety of Systems, Products and Services" (Bylaws, Article I, Section 5). The System Safety concept is the application of systems engineering and systems management to the process of hazard, safety and risk analysis to identify, assess and control associated hazards while designing or modifying systems, products, or services. Before production, construction or operation, accident potential is eliminated or reduced by eliminating or controlling associated hazards. The system safety profession draws from a broad range of engineering, behavioral, scientific, legal and managerial skills. The Society is international in scope and draws members throughout the world and is affiliated with major corporations, educational institutions and other agencies in the United States and abroad. Why a System Safety Society? Although avoiding hazards has long been recognized as a basic consideration by product managers, professional engineers and safety and loss prevention specialists, formalized efforts to incorporate activities specifically oriented toward hazard identification and control on a comprehensive and total life-cycle basis have been observed primarily only in relatively recent times. It became apparent to system safety pioneers that then existing professional organizations and societies did not provide a sufficiently receptive and stimulating environment for the long-range objectives envisioned for the system safety concept.  Therefore, in 1964, the System Safety Society was chartered in California and subsequently incorporated as a non-profit professional organization in the District of Columbia. The Society has enjoyed a steady growth in numbers, scope and influence over the years. The membership now extends to over a dozen different countries and a variety of professional occupations. Numerous local chapters have been formed throughout the U.S. and abroad to provide an opportunity for direct participation by interested members. Objectives and Activities of the Society: Advance the state-of-the-art of System Safety, Contribute to a meaningful managerial and technological understanding of System Safety, Disseminate newly developed knowledge to all interested groups and parties, Improve the public understanding of the System Safety process and discipline, Promote System Safety to all levels of management, engineering and other professional groups, Foster communication within the System Safety profession and with other scientific, legal, public and professional groups, Encourage research into the development and application of new safety management, scientific or engineering techniques Encourage System Safety professional development and education. Activities: Through its local chapters, committees, executive council, publications and publications meetings the Society provides many opportunities for interested members to participate in a variety of activities compatible with Society objectives. Service: The Society provides many unique opportunities for interested members to participate in a variety of activities including such standing committees as Education, Membership, Professional Development, Publications, Public Relations, Standards Development and Conferences.