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System Safety for the 21st Century by Richard A. Stephans is an updated and revised edition of the book System Safety 2000 by Joe Stephenson, which was published in 1991. The original book consisted of 318 pages, while the new book has grown by 67 to 385 pages total. Not only has more new and fresh material been added but some obsolete material has been removed and replaced, making a significant overall improvement. Mr. Stephans is a PE, CSP and a Fellow of the System Safety Society. He is eminently qualified to write such a text.
This book is a primer for the system safety practitioner, and it covers the basics very well. The original book had more of an occupational safety slant;
however, author Stephans has tried to make the book more relevant to all aspects of safety, including system, process and occupational safety. Overall, it is a good
introductory textbook on system safety.
The book is organized into six major sections:
Part 1 – Introduction to System Safety
Part 2 – System Safety Program Planning and Management
Part 3 – Analytical Aids
Part 4 – System Safety Analysis Techniques
Part 5 – Process Safety [new]
Part 6 – Professionalism and Professional Development Safety [new]
There are some things in this revision that I really like; for example, Part V on Process Safety is all new material. Here Stephans has addressed the system
safety needs of the process chemical safety industry. There are four chapters on different aspects of process safety. This section introduces the reader to process safety
management, including the background that led to specific public laws, applicable definitions and process safety requirements in the United States and Canada. Many past
disasters have occurred in processing plants, such as in Bhopal in 1984, and the Piper Alpha oil platform in 1988, which have prompted legislation and increased safety focus
in these areas.
Part VI on Professionalism and Professional Development is also all new material. This section discusses professionalism and certification in the safety
discipline. As system safety grows in importance and credibility, professionalism becomes an increasingly important attribute for safety professionals, including both safety
engineers and managers.
The earlier book contained an appendix on “Who’s Who in System Safety.” Author Stephans had the wisdom to remove this chapter and replace it with more
relevant material. The old material was interesting but subjective, and was of limited usefulness (especially since I was not on the list!). It seemed like filler material.
Stephans also removed an appendix on training resources. Although it too was interesting, its value was limited because this area has changed drastically in
the last 12 years. Again, this was a wise move because the original information was out of date and would be difficult to keep current.
Three new appendices were added that I found very interesting and useful:
Appendix I – The Scope and Functions of the Professional Safety Position
Appendix II – SSS Fundamental Principles and Canons
Appendix III – Professional System Safety and Related Organizations
These presented material that I have never seen addressed in a textbook before, and I’m glad to see it finally published. The information here would have
helped me a lot when I first started out in the system safety discipline.
My only complaints about the book are minor problems remaining from the original version. For example, there are no examples demonstrating how to perform some
of the hazard analysis techniques discussed.
In summary, this book provides an excellent overview of the entire system safety process and describes the most relevant safety artifacts produced by a safety
program. It is a valuable asset and should be required reading for anyone in the system safety discipline, as well as for anyone just wanting to know more about the subject.
The book is an excellent overall primer on system and process safety. It is definitely recommended reading and a useful reference and resource.
Clif Ericson
Fredericksburg, VA
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