TBD

Authors

  • Charles Hoes Hoes Engineering

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.56094/jss.v51i2.152

Keywords:

system safety, expense, informed, selling, success

Abstract

There is a bit of an email “round table” circulating amongst several of the “grey beards” of the International System Safety Society that everyone might be interested in. The general topic of discussion has to do with, “Why isn’t system safety more effective?” I hope this discussion is going to turn into a paper or presentation by someone other than myself, so I don’t want to interfere with that process. However, the topic has struck a few chords with me that might be of interest to you. So far, there are at least three points of view or theories as to why system safety isn’t more important or desired:

  • Safety is seen as “an expense” — Corporations are focused on profits. It’s a given that accidents reduce profits, and that system safety reduces accidents. Therefore, industry leaders must not understand the costs associated with uncontrolled risks, because if they did, they would put more effort toward system safety.
  • The “right” people are not informed — Industries have a way of making big commitments, pledges and changes after a well-publicized event has occurred. We spend a lot of time and effort attempting to warn our customers/employers about the risks of these kinds of newsworthy events, but if we do it by talking to those in system safety, we are mostly just “preaching to the choir.”
  • The concept of system safety isn’t being “sold” properly — We do not do a good enough job of selling our ability to add value to the project or team. We need to promote our profession as a value-added service, not just a risk reduction activity.

Author Biography

Charles Hoes, Hoes Engineering

Charles “Charlie” Hoes began his consulting business in 1984, providing system safety engineering services to defense, aerospace, semiconductor and general industry. During that time he has become a P.E. in Safety in the State of California, a Certified Safety Profession (CSP) with a specialty System Safety Practices and earned a Master of Science degree in Safety from University of Southern California. In 1988 Charlie incorporated his business under the name of “Hoes Engineering, Inc.” He has many years of experience volunteering in support of the International System Safety Society, filling many positions including past President of the Sacramento Chapter, the Virtual Chapter, and the System Safety Society. He is a past technical editor of the System Society’s journal Hazard Prevention (re-named to be the Journal of System Safety), as well as authoring an ongoing feature article of the Journal of System Safety called “TBD” where he discusses current concerns with the system safety profession.

In his new role of being semi-retired, Charlie continues to actively work with the System Safety Society as well as participating in a few “for hire” and volunteer projects that are particularly interesting, or important, for a variety of reasons. He is enjoying the ability of being a bit more selective with regard to projects that he accepts.

TBD

Downloads

Published

2015-07-01

How to Cite

Hoes, C. (2015). TBD. Journal of System Safety, 51(2), 6–7. https://doi.org/10.56094/jss.v51i2.152

Issue

Section

Columns and Perspectives