TBD

Abstract

I have been asked to provide a summary/status report on our involvement with the Arizona State University (ASU) initiative to introduce the topic of “design for safety” into engineering courses. I will attempt to do that here, but I wish to point out that this effort has the potential to change some of the fundamental aspects of our understanding of the goals and operation of the International System Safety Society (ISSS). It is my opinion that this is the correct time to re-think the vision of the ISSS to reflect an expanded global role. The ASU initiative is just one piece of a multi-part effort to reposition the ISSS as the “go to” organization in the field of system safety engineering and management. The effects of sequestration have made it clear that, for the ISSS, depending upon government projects is unreasonable, risky and does not meet the much broader needs of global industry — or mankind. I believe it is time for the Society to step up and admit that we are the leading organization in the field of system safety (by whatever name that field is referred to by various organizations).