Gains from Losses: Getting Started in System Safety

John Livingston

doi:10.56094/jss.v51i2.156

Authors

John Livingston NASA (retired)

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.56094/jss.v51i2.156

Keywords:

system safety, getting started, streetwise, knowledge, communication

Abstract

This past year, I spent some time supporting an effort to develop a set of hazard report review guidelines to be used by engineers assigned to hazard report review teams. The subject reports were developed by contractors for a major program and the review was done by a government team. The engineers were selected for their engineering expertise and, in most cases, were getting their first experience in assessing hazard analysis reports. I was reminded of my own start in the field of system safety almost 40 years ago.

While I acknowledge that almost all readers of Journal of System Safety (JSS) are experienced system safety practitioners, we all had to start somewhere. In my case, it was with little guidance or formal training.

Author Biography

John Livingston, NASA (retired)

Mr. John Livingston received his Physics degree in 1960 and began employment with NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) and served MSFC until and beyond his NASA retirement in 1997. Mr. Livingston was is a Fellow of the International System Safety Society

While at MSFC, Mr. Livingston served on the Space Shuttle Safety Review Panel (12 years) and the Space Station Freedom Safety Panel Board (3 years). During his career with MSFC, he was Chief or Director for System Safety Engineering and received numerous safety-related awards including a NASA Silver Snoopy Award (given by a NASA Astronaut) and the NASA Exceptional Service Medal, all related to excellence in System Safety related to safe space flight.