|
Simply stated, system safety
is a process — a methodology for identifying,
assessing and reducing mishap risk and the associated
hazards. The system safety process does not limit
its applicability to equipment. The methodology
is equally valid in mitigating environmental mishaps
or occupational hazards. Practically speaking,
in the system safety / ESH interface, system safety
is the parent. In reality, though, system safety
is the stepchild.
If we are serious about maintaining system safety
as a recognized discipline, we need for system
safety to stand on its own. It would not take
much to make this happen. After all, system safety
and ESH both have their separate supporting organizations.
The System Safety Society focuses on the system
safety discipline, while the American Society
of Safety Engineers (ASSE) focuses on the regulatory
compliance nature of ESH. Why not develop a system
safety certification as a primary-level achievement
rather than as one for a disappearing subspecialty?
The System Safety Society should lead the effort
in developing the certification standard and gaining
the recognition the system safety professional
has earned and rightly deserves. If we fail to
stand and be recognized, we run the risk of losing
our identity entirely, and of seeing our discipline
reduced to the realm of irrelevancy.
|
