System safety programs implementation

Second, how do contractors develop and implement a system safety program to perform the tasks necessary to meet the government requirements ... 

Where previous versions of the standard (particularly versions B and C) provided detailed requirements and specify how to implement the system safety program, the current version is focused more toward the way the acquisition contract is prepared. The current procedure is important because it provides some flexibility to the acquisition program manager to create a system safety program that fits the particular acquisition. 

The most common and widespread approach to system safety is that taken by the DOD and DOD contractors. TTiey originally developed and implemented system safety programs. The DOD approach is based on MIL-STD-882B system safety program requirements. 

Appendix A Guidance for implementation of system safety program requirements... 

New government contractors and subcontractors who are required to develop and implement system safety programs to meet government requirements but have limited system safety experience... 

To implement a system safety program, the personnel involved have to be properly trained. A comprehensive training program is particularly important until system safety courses are established in the curricula of engineering, management, and safety majors in colleges and universities. A recommended training plan is included in Chapter 9. 

System safety management An element of management that defines the system safety program requirements and ensures the planning, implementation and accomplishment of system safety tasks and activities consistent with the overall program requirements (MIL-STD-882). 

System safety program plan A description of the planned methods to be used by the contractor to implement the tailored requirements of this standard, including organizational responsibilities, resources, methods of accomplishment, milestones, depth of effort, and integration with other program engineering and management activities and related systems (MIL-STD-882). 

Whatever your decision may be, it will help to remember that ancient Chinese proverb If you don t know where you are going, then any road will take you there A properly implemented and managed system safety program can provide an excellent roadmap to help individuals, organizations, and entire corporations find their way to a safe, productive, and profitable destination while ensuring the lowest possible level of acceptable risk with a maximum return on investment. 

Today s safety professional has moved beyond the standard measurement of safety performance in terms of the number of accidents or injuries and recordable injury and illness rates. More sophisticated techniques that involve safety performance measurement systems, ongoing tracking of results, and continual improvement processes have replaced the early measurements. While today s safety metrics still include accident and illness performance, they also encompass behavior-based safety, safety program implementation performance, and insurance costs and losses. 

Much of the systems safety techniques and management program development has its roots in the military. The MIL STD 882D, Systems Safety provides a detailed framework for implementing a systems safety program. 

NASA also implemented a system-safety program patterned after the Air Force standards. These programs were instrumental to the successful completion of many NASA projects, including the Apollo moon missions. 

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