TABLE OF CONTENTS Supportability of systems is greatly influenced by the efficiency of the people assigned to their operation and maintenance. People are an integral part of the operation and maintenance of systems. Very few items operate in an environment that does not require human contact or involvement with the equipment. Therefore, people must be considered an integral part of the total system. System safety engineering and human factors engineering are responsible for evaluating the equipment design to ensure that it allows human participation to be as safe and efficient as possible. These engineering specialty disciplines address liability, product safety, and health and welfare issues that may arise for any consumer or user of products sold to individuals or organizations.
No matter how good the design of an item of equipment, if it cannot be operated and maintained safely, it is unacceptable. System safety engineering is charged with developing and implementing a system safety program that continually evaluates the evolving equipment design to identify potential safety hazards. As they are identified, hazards are analyzed to determine ways they can be reduced or eliminated through design or procedure changes.
The system safety objectives of any program are to influence the design using a systematic analysis and evaluation approach that results in equipment that is as safe as possible to operate and maintain. Figure 7-1 shows the general objectives of system safety. Achievement of these objectives is realized through implementation of the design criteria listed in Figure 7-2. These general design...
