Developing an integrated approach to system safety engineering

This article describes the development of a new, integrated approach to system safety engineering. The approach is illustrated in a case study involving the design of a high-pressure experimental research facility. The system safety engineering framework incorporates five main groups of activities, including system design visualization, failure modes and effects analysis, multidisciplinary teaming, benchmarking, and enterprise management. Coupling a systems engineering approach with the recognized principals of failure mode avoidance was found to significantly enhance the engineering design process.