01/05/05  ssprocdesrv103.doc  System Safety Process Steps  The System Safety discipline is defined as the application of special technical and managerial skills to the  systematic,  forward-looking  identification and control of hazards throughout the life cycle of a project,  program, or activity. The primary objective of System Safety is accident prevention. Proactively identifying,  assessing, and eliminating or controlling safety-related hazards, to acceptable levels, can achieve accident  prevention. A hazard is a condition, event, or circumstance that could lead to or contribute to an unplanned or  undesired event. Risk is an expression of the impact of an undesired event in terms of event severity and event  likelihood. Throughout this process, hazards are identified, risks analyzed, assessed, prioritized, and results  documented for decision-making. The continuous loop process provides for validation of decisions and  evaluation for desired results and/or the need for further action. The System Safety process steps are depicted graphically in the following figure. It is a formal and flexible  process that generally follows the steps in the FAA’s  Safety Risk Management Order, 8040.4. A systematic  approach to process improvement requires proactively searching for opportunities to improve the process at  every step, not simply identifying deficiencies after an undesired event. Risk Management has been defined as  the process by which Risk Assessment results are integrated with political, social, economic, and engineering  considerations for decisions about need/methods for risk reduction.  System Safety Process 1  Define Objectives Validation of Control: Evaluate Results for Further Action System Descriptions Hazard Identification: Identify Hazards and Consequences Risk Analysis: Analyze Hazards and Identify Risks Risk Assessment: Consolidate and Prioritize Risks Decision-Making: Develop an Action Plan Modify System/ Process Risk Management Risk Management Documentation System/Process Review