Safety

For other uses, see Safety (disambiguation).

After Whiskey Driving Risky. Safety roadsign in Ladakh, India

home invasion, etc.), or may indicate that its internal installations (such as appliances, stairs, etc.) are safe (not
dangerous or harmful) for its inhabitants.

Warning signs, such as this one, can improve safety awareness.

Discussions of safety often include mention of related

terms. Security is such a term. With time the denitions between these two have often become interchanged,
equated, and frequently appear juxtaposed in the same
sentence. Readers unfortunately are left to conclude
whether they comprise a redundancy. This confuses the
uniqueness that should be reserved for each by itself.
When seen as unique, as we intend here, each term will
assume its rightful place in inuencing and being inuenced by the other.

Safety is the state of being safe (from French sauf), the

condition of being protected against physical, social, spiritual, nancial, political, emotional, occupational, psychological, educational or other types or consequences
of failure, damage, error, accidents, harm or any other
event which could be considered non-desirable. Safety
can also be dened to be the control of recognized hazards to achieve an acceptable level of risk. This can take
the form of being protected from the event or from exposure to something that causes health or economical losses.
It can include protection of people or of possessions.

Safety is the condition of a steady state of an organization or place doing what it is supposed to do. What
it is supposed to do is dened in terms of public codes
and standards, associated architectural and engineering
1 Meanings
designs, corporate vision and mission statements, and operational plans and personnel policies. For any organizaThere are two slightly dierent meanings of safety. For tion, place, or function, large or small, safety is a normaexample, home safety may indicate a buildings ability tive concept. It complies with situation-specic denitions
to protect against external harm events (such as weather, of what is expected and acceptable.[1]
1

Using this denition, protection from a homes external threats and protection from its internal structural and
equipment failures (see Meanings, above) are not two
types of safety but rather two aspects of a homes steady
state.

SYSTEM SAFETY AND RELIABILITY ENGINEERING

3.3 Perceived safety

Perceived or subjective safety refers to the users level

of comfort and perception of risk, without consideration
of standards or safety history. For example, trac sigIn the world of everyday aairs, not all goes as planned. nals are perceived as safe, yet under some circumstances,
Some entitys steady state is challenged. This is where they can increase trac crashes at an intersection. Traf[2]
security science, which is of more recent date, enters. c roundabouts have a generally favorable safety record
yet often make drivers nervous.
Drawing from the denition of safety, then:
Security is the process or means, physical or human, of de- Low perceived safety can have costs. For example, aflaying, preventing, and otherwise protecting against exter- ter the 9/11/2001 attacks, many people chose to drive
nal or internal, defects, dangers, loss, criminals, and other rather than y, despite the fact that, even counting terindividuals or actions that threaten, hinder or destroy an rorist attacks, ying is safer than driving. Perceived risk
organizations steady state, and deprive it of its intended discourages people from walking and bicycling for transportation, enjoyment or exercise, even though the health
purpose for being.
benets outweigh the risk of injury.[3]
Using this generic denition of safety it is possible to
specify the elements of a security program.[1]

3.4 Security

Limitations

Also called social safety or public safety, security addresses the risk of harm due to intentional criminal acts
such as assault, burglary or vandalism.

Safety can be limited in relation to some guarantee or a

standard of insurance to the quality and unharmful function of an object or organization. It is used in order to
ensure that the object or organization will do only what it
is meant to do.

Because of the moral issues involved, security is of higher

importance to many people than substantive safety. For
example, a death due to murder is considered worse than
a death in a car crash, even though in many countries,
trac deaths are more common than homicides.

It is important to realize that safety is relative. Eliminating all risk, if even possible, would be extremely dicult
and very expensive. A safe situation is one where risks of
injury or property damage are low and manageable.

4 Risks and responses

Types of safety

Safety is generally interpreted as implying a real and signicant impact on risk of death, injury or damage to
property. In response to perceived risks many interventions may be proposed with engineering responses and
regulation being two of the most common.

It is important to distinguish between products that meet Probably the most common individual response to perstandards, that are safe, and those that merely feel safe. ceived safety issues is insurance, which compensates for
The highway safety community uses these terms:
or provides restitution in the case of damage or loss.

3.1

Normative safety

5 System safety and reliability engineering

Normative safety is achieved when a product or design

meets applicable standards and practices for design and
System safety and reliability engineering is an engineerconstruction or manufacture, regardless of the products
ing discipline. Continuous changes in technology, enactual safety history.
vironmental regulation and public safety concerns make
the analysis of complex safety-critical systems more and
more demanding.

3.2

Substantive safety

A common fallacy, for example among electrical engineers regarding structure power systems, is that safety isSubstantive or objective safety occurs when the real- sues can be readily deduced. In fact, safety issues have
world safety history is favorable, whether or not standards been discovered one by one, over more than a century in
are met.
the case mentioned, in the work of many thousands of

3
practitioners, and cannot be deduced by a single individual over a few decades. A knowledge of the literature, the
standards and custom in a eld is a critical part of safety
engineering. A combination of theory and track record
of practices is involved, and track record indicates some
of the areas of theory that are relevant. (In the USA,
persons with a state license in Professional Engineering
in Electrical Engineering are expected to be competent
in this regard, the foregoing notwithstanding, but most
electrical engineers have no need of the license for their
work.)
Safety is often seen as one of a group of related disciplines: quality, reliability, availability, maintainability
and safety. (Availability is sometimes not mentioned, on
the principle that it is a simple function of reliability and
maintainability.) These issues tend to determine the value
of any work, and decits in any of these areas are considered to result in a cost, beyond the cost of addressing the
area in the rst place; good management is then expected
to minimize total cost.

Safety measures

Safety measures are activities and precautions taken to improve safety, i.e. reduce risk related to human health.
Common safety measures include:

Periodic evaluations of employees, departments,

etc.
Physical examinations to determine whether a person has a physical condition that would create a
problem.
Safety margins/Safety factors. For instance, a
product rated to never be required to handle more
than 200 pounds might be designed to fail under at
least 400 pounds, a safety factor of two. Higher
numbers are used in more sensitive applications such
as medical or transit safety.
Self-imposed regulation of various types.
Implementation of standard protocols and procedures so that activities are conducted in a known
way.
Statements of ethics by industry organizations or
an individual company so its employees know what
is expected of them.
Stress testing subjects a person or product to
stresses in excess of those the person or product
is designed to handle, to determining the breaking
point.

Chemical analysis

Training of employees, vendors, product users

Destructive testing of samples

Visual examination for dangerous situations

such as emergency exits blocked because they are
being used as storage areas.

Drug testing of employees, etc.

Examination of activities by specialists to minimize physical stress or increase productivity
Geological surveys to determine whether land or
water sources are polluted, how rm the ground is
at a potential building site, etc.

Visual examination for aws such as cracks, peeling, loose connections.

X-ray analysis to see inside a sealed object such as
a weld, a cement wall or an airplane outer skin.

Government regulation so suppliers know what

standards their product is expected to meet.

7 Standards organizations

Industry regulation so suppliers know what level

of quality is expected. Industry regulation is often
imposed to avoid potential government regulation. A number of standards organizations exist that promulgate safety standards. These may be voluntary organi Instruction manuals explaining how to use a prod- zations or government agencies. These agencies rst deuct or perform an activity
ne the safety standards, which they publish in the form
of codes. They are also Accreditation Bodies and enti Instructional videos demonstrating proper use of
tle independent third parties such as testing and certiproducts
cation agencies to inspect and ensure compliance to the
Root cause analysis to identify causes of a system standards they dened. For instance, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) formulated a cerfailure and correct deciencies.
tain number of safety standards in its Boiler and Pressure
Internet safety or Online Safety, is protection of Vessel Code (BPVC) and accredited TV Rheinland to
the user's safety from cyber threats or computer provide certication services to guarantee product comcrime in general.
pliance to the dened safety regulations.[4]

8 SEE ALSO

7.1
7.1.1

United States
American National Standards Institute

Canadian Standards Association

Deutsches Institut fr Normung

International Organization for Standardization

A major American standards organization is the
American National Standards Institute (ANSI). Usually,
Standards Australia
members of a particular industry will voluntarily form a
committee to study safety issues and propose standards.
Those standards are then recommended to ANSI, which 7.3.2 Testing laboratories
reviews and adopts them. Many government regulations
require that products sold or used must comply with a Many countries have national organizations that have accreditation to test and/or submit test reports for safety cerparticular ANSI standard.
tication. These are typically referred to as a Notied or
Competent Body.
7.1.2 Government agencies
Many government agencies set safety standards for matters under their jurisdiction, such as:
the Food and Drug Administration
the Consumer Product Safety Commission
the United States Environmental Protection Agency
7.1.3

Testing laboratories

Product safety testing, for the United States, is largely

controlled by the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
In addition, workplace related products come under the
jurisdiction of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), which certies independent testing
companies as Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories (NRTL), see.[5]

8 See also
Accident
Aircraft
Air safety
Accidents and incidents in aviation
List of aircraft accidents
Aisles: Safety and regulatory considerations
American Society of Safety Engineers
Arc Flash
Safety in Australia
Automobile
Car accident

7.2
7.2.1

European Union
Institutions

the European Commission (EC)

the European Committee for Standardization (CEN)
the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA)
the European Safety Federation (ESF)
7.2.2

Testing laboratories

The European Commission provides the legal framework, but the dierent Member States may authorize test
laboratories to carry out safety testing.

7.3
7.3.1

Other countries
Standards institutions

British Standards Institution

Automobile safety
Trac safety
Bicycle
Bicycle safety
Behavior-based safety
Boat
Boat safety
Certied safety professional
Child
Child safety seat
Toy safety
Poison control
Safe Kids USA
Consumer product safety
Door#Door-related accidents

5
Electrical safety
Explosives safety
Fire safety
Gun safety
List of rail accidents
List of nuclear accidents
Motorcycle safety
Patient safety
Pedestrian safety
Private security
Risk management
Road safety
Sailing ship accidents
Safety engineering

Fail-safe
Fail-secure
Poka-yoke
Software System Safety

Safety statement
Security
Seismic performance
Sports injury safety
Occupational Safety and Health

Criticality accident
Safety data sheet
Personal protective equipment
Work accident

References

[1] Charles G. Oakes, PhD, Blue Ember Technologies,

LLC."Safety versus Security in Fire Protection Planning,The American Institute of Architects: Knowledge
Communities, May 2009. Retrieved on June 22, 2011.
[2] Proven Safety Countermeasures: Roundabouts. Federal
Highway Administration. Retrieved 2012-08-13.
[3] Jeroen Johan de Hartog, Hanna Boogaard, Hans Nijland,
Gerard Hoek (1 August 2010). Do the Health Benets
of Cycling Outweigh the Risks?". Environmental Health
Perspectives 118: 11091116. doi:10.1289/ehp.0901747.
Retrieved 2012-08-13.
[4] Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspection According to
ASME
[5] https://www.osha.gov/dts/otpca/nrtl

10 Further reading
Wildavsky, Aaron; Wildavsky, Adam (2008). Risk
and Safety. In David R. Henderson. Concise Encyclopedia of Economics (2nd ed.). Indianapolis:
Library of Economics and Liberty. ISBN 9780865976658. OCLC 237794267.

11

11
11.1

TEXT AND IMAGE SOURCES, CONTRIBUTORS, AND LICENSES

Text and image sources, contributors, and licenses

Text

Safety Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Safety?oldid=676090610 Contributors: Bryan Derksen, William Avery, Edward, Patrick,
Ixfd64, Ronz, Evercat, Thseamon, DJ Clayworth, Ccady, Epl18, Frazzydee, Jni, Riddley, Paul Klenk, Murray Langton, Seglea, Lowellian, Moink, PhilTLL, Aetheling, Dhodges, Jacoplane, Peruvianllama, Everyking, Guanaco, Luigi30, JRR Trollkien, Quadell, Antandrus,
Margana, PDH, Tjwood, Semenko, Clemwang, Canterbury Tail, Bluemask, Mike Rosoft, Alkivar, D6, Dceck, Jiy, Discospinster, Rich
Farmbrough, Jonpin, Bender235, ESkog, AdamTheHun, Kbh3rd, Alren, Cedders, Just zis Guy, you know?, Bobo192, Spalding, John
Vandenberg, Elipongo, Kappa, Syd1435, Colonel Cow, WikiLeon, A2Kar, Bigtoe, Andrewpmk, AzaToth, Cowpowder, MarkGallagher,
Super-Magician, Colin Kimbrell, Suruena, Shoey, Stephen, Stemonitis, Richard Arthur Norton (1958- ), OwenX, Woohookitty, SCEhardt,
John Hill, Marudubshinki, KaisaL, Magister Mathematicae, Rjwilmsi, Tykell, Tawker, Graibeard, Yamamoto Ichiro, FayssalF, SchuminWeb, Musical Linguist, RexNL, Gurch, RasputinAXP, KFP, TeaDrinker, Valentinian, Jling, Mhking, YurikBot, Wavelength, RobotE,
Vanished user jw8ej23rnalajfdoi3rfx, Splash, Stephenb, Sjb90, NawlinWiki, Wiki alf, Anomo, Aeusoes1, T, Deckiller, Lumaga, Sijpie,
FF2010, Calaschysm, Sagsaw, Ageekgal, RickReinckens, Jesushaces, BorgQueen, Jolb, ArielGold, Maxamegalon2000, DVD R W, That
Guy, From That Show!, Dr. R.K.Z, Veinor, SmackBot, KnowledgeOfSelf, Ga, Johnny06man, AlexNichols, Bluebot, Adam M. Gadomski, A. B., Zsinj, Can't sleep, clown will eat me, Frap, Krich, Flyguy649, Nakon, VegaDark, Bubby the Tour G, Nexus Seven, Weregerbil,
Hammer1980, Pilotguy, Rory096, Doug Bell, JzG, Kuru, AmiDaniel, MassProducedGod, Heimstern, Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington,
Mr. Lefty, Andypandy.UK, Slakr, Cubicle BOB, Macha, Bubbrubb, Sexmaniac, Mets501, Ryulong, Darry2385, Jonathanbender2, Purplepopcorn, SweetNeo85, Courcelles, Tawkerbot2, ChrisCork, Dblum1, Billy3000, Jonathanbender3, Kzx87, Saftey, Hayato Jin, BoH,
Scohoust, KyraVixen, Jonest, Bill.albing, NickW557, Arbinado, Billy212, Tominn, Targetwmd, Heatsketch, Lets add nonsense :p, Madskillzediter, Johnnybender2, Karimarie, Someguy1989, JFreeman, Corpx, Wikipediarules2221, Sa.vakilian, Go., Omicronpersei8, Opabinia
regalis, Billbixby5000, Andyjsmith, JustAGal, AgentPeppermint, Nick Number, Transhumanist, KrakatoaKatie, Space Pope, Prolog,
Davidwikipedia, Born2ie, Hello32020, Honette, Knightofni120, Kre-Ko-Ach, Terlan, Bongwarrior, VoABot II, JamesBWatson, Wang
chung, Nhpb, Mullet man1987, Wdl2006, Indon, Mahitgar, Paris By Night, DerHexer, Nopira, MartinBot, Sp3000, Gpnatale~enwiki, Jo
Stainless, M C Y 1008, Chriswiki, SmilesALot, Skrelk, Jorfer, Andrewisacoolguy, Bonadea, C. J. Harrington, UnicornTapestry, Hersfold,
Triskele Jim, SafetyEngineer, Perohanych, Paulburnett, Someguy1221, PatientSafetyGuru, Admin004, PS3 FTW, Seb az86556, Personthingy, Lova Falk, LuigiManiac, Jehorn, D. Recorder, 1000000002manydalmations, Biscuittin, Abcdef20, Moonriddengirl, Derekcslater,
Doctajohndonjuan, Jojalozzo, Smaug123, 280762nJ, Schapelj, Nitroblast171, Jollyoldchap, PerpetualSX, Yndesai, ClueBot, The Thing
That Should Not Be, PLA y Grande Covin, Wolfch, Timetaker3443, Kginapa, Riskex, Rockfang, Shustov, Bajarider, Diagramma Della
Verita, Biallystock, Eeekster, Efose2, Davewoods100, RRBWiki, Lostraven, Addhoc 6, Deangano, CanadianLinuxUser, Tide rolls, Ben
Ben, PlankBot, Nic Germ, Yobot, Themfromspace, TaBOT-zerem, DisillusionedBitterAndKnackered, Reindra, AnomieBOT, Galoubet,
Dwayne, LilHelpa, Srich32977, In fact, Joxemai, Pepper, Greggydude, DrilBot, Biker Biker, Eagles247, Cnwilliams, Keri, Vrenator,
Tbhotch, Bento00, Henrywilter, Slon02, EmausBot, Shantilon, GoingBatty, RHM22, MonoALT, AvicAWB, Hazard-SJ, SilentBobxy2,
Vscarp, ClueBot NG, Cwmhiraeth, Cornbrea4, Worsfold66, Frietjes, Tw76945, MerlIwBot, Fyrstopr, YVSREDDY, Mxheil, Tommy
Pinball, ArmbrustBot, SandyWA, Maky89, Schmetterling5 and Anonymous: 302

11.2

Images

File:After_Whiskey_Driving_Risky.jpg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cf/After_Whiskey_Driving_

Risky.jpg License: CC BY-SA 4.0 Contributors: Own work Original artist: John Hill
File:Commons-logo.svg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg License: ? Contributors: ? Original
artist: ?
File:Folder_Hexagonal_Icon.svg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/48/Folder_Hexagonal_Icon.svg License: Cc-bysa-3.0 Contributors: ? Original artist: ?
File:Portal-puzzle.svg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/fd/Portal-puzzle.svg License: Public domain Contributors: ?
Original artist: ?
File:Question_book-new.svg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/9/99/Question_book-new.svg License: Cc-by-sa-3.0
Contributors:
Created from scratch in Adobe Illustrator. Based on Image:Question book.png created by User:Equazcion Original artist:
Tkgd2007
File:Snake_warning_sign.jpg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7f/Snake_warning_sign.jpg License: CC BY
2.0 Contributors: Flickr Original artist: Matt Frederick from USA
File:Symbol_book_class2.svg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/89/Symbol_book_class2.svg License: CC
BY-SA 2.5 Contributors: Mad by Lokal_Prol by combining: Original artist: Lokal_Prol
File:Wikiquote-logo.svg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fa/Wikiquote-logo.svg License: Public domain
Contributors: ? Original artist: ?

11.3

Content license

Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0