Safety computer systems communications

The development of computer capabiUties in hardware and software, related instmmentation and control, and telecommunication technology represent an opportunity for improvement in safety (see COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY). Plant operators can be provided with a variety of user-friendly diagnostic aids to assist in plant operations and incipient failure detection. Communications can be more rapid and dependable. The safety control systems can be made even more rehable and maintenance-free. Moreover, passive safety features to provide emergency cooling for both the reactor system and the containment building are being developed. 

With increasingly networked, distributed computer systems the risk of deliberate malicious interactions, using software-based tools, became a serious threat. Many-fold related issues like data protection, privacy, integrity, authenticity, and denial of service attacks, viruses, worms etc. lead to a separate community to be established, which is nowadays in the main focus of the public as was safety some time ago (and still is—but only after catastrophic events). This community developed separate standards, methods, taxonomy and ways of thinking. 

In terms of safety, a computer system appears ostensibly to pose little risk to the user and its presence in a classroom seems to offer little risk to pupils. Reputable companies produce machines that comply with electrical safety regulations. Except for portables, computers are usually static in nse, being placed on a desk or a trolley, and thus may appear to be relatively safe. However, experience of working with ICT has shown me that there are significant safety issues of which every teacher should be aware. These same issues have been used to frame the legal context that surrounds the use of ICT in the workplace via the European Community Directive (EEC) on the use of Visual Display Units (VDUs) (EEC, 1990). The potential hazards are compounded when there are multiple computer systems in one room, for example, in a computer lab. The issues that affect pupils, teachers and other school employees who come into contact with ICT are ... 

Anyone who has been involved in the implementation of lean understands the concept and importance of visual methods of communication, which are often referred to as visual factory methods. Visuals make knowledge that previously resided with individuals and in computer systems public knowledge. Visual communication methods include signage, charts, signaling cards and containers, lights, and process maps. All of these methods support the lean goal of employee engagement in continual improvement. Let s briefly explore each of these to understand their relevance to lean safety. 

Often fire alarm system needs can be accommodated on computer or communication systems installed for other purposes. For example, several companies sell small systems, primarily designed for energy management which are designed to accept inputs from other types of systems such as security and fire safety and they provide software packages to support them. 

Process changes, like a new computer system or the use of a checklist, may help a bit, but if they are not embedded in a system in which the providers ate engaged in safety efforts, educated about how to idenhfy safety hazards and fix them, and have a culture of strong communication and teamwork, progress may be painfully slow. (Denise Grady 2010. Study finds no progress in safety at hospitals. The New York Times, 24 November 2010,1)... 

Like many other professionals, safety specialists must use computer tools to record, manage, analyze, and communicate information. This section identifies some computer systems... 

In addition, just as employee participation is the key element of process safety management systems, worker involvement is crucial to the effective application of Safety Cases. Unfortunately, the perception among many that a Safety Case is a lengthy, highly technical document that can only be understood by specialists, mitigates effective employee participation. For example the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) technique used to model explosion over-pressure uses very sophisticated mathematics. This sophistication makes communication with nonspecialists a challenge. In addition the sheer size and complexity of a Safety Case may serve as a barrier to the involvement of nontechnical personnel. 

The Society welcomed the opportunity to work with EWICS TC7 and the Commission of the European Communities in the furtherance of harmonisation and standardisation in the field of safety and reliability of industrial computer systems. It saw this as a natural and timely development and fully in accordance with its aims. 

Smith, J., Russell, S., Looi, M. Security as a safety issue in rail communications. In Proceedings of the 8th Australian Workshop on Safety Critical Systems and Software, SCS 2003, vol. 33, pp. 79 88. Austrahan Computer Society, Inc., Australia (2003)... 

The Safety-Critical Systems Club exists for the benefit of industrialists and researchers involved with computer systems in safety-critical applications. Sponsored by the Department of Trade and Industry and the ience and Engineering Research Council, its purpose is to increase awareness and facilitate communication in the safety-critical systems domain. 

Whilst such a picture is unlikely to apply to reputable suppliers of safety-critical systems, "project managers in mainstream commercial computing are not likely to allow quality considerations to override the adequacy of the project as a whole" [3] section 2.4. Confusions and acrimony will arise when the two communities meet in real projects as collaborators or in main/sub-contractor relationships. 

Reinmann BC, Warren AD. User-oriented criteria for the selection of Dds software. Commun ACM 28 (2) 166-179, Feb. 1985. Report evaluates lab-safety trends. R and D 37.12 13, 1995. Romano CA. Privacy, confidentiality, and security of computerized systems The nursing responsibility. Computers Nurs 99-104, May/June 1987. 

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