Ontwerpveiligheden

Ontwerpveiligheden, a Dutch term, translates to "design safeguards" or "safety by design" in English. It refers to the proactive integration of safety measures and considerations directly into the design process of a product, system, or process. The fundamental principle is to anticipate potential hazards and risks and mitigate them from the outset, rather than relying on later add-on safety features or corrective actions.

This approach aims to eliminate or minimize risks at the source. Instead of designing a product that might be dangerous and then adding a warning label or a protective cover, ontwerpvieligheden would involve designing the product in a way that inherently prevents the hazard from occurring or significantly reduces its likelihood and impact. This can involve material selection, ergonomic considerations, simplification of design, or the incorporation of self-regulating mechanisms.

The benefits of ontwerpvieligheden are numerous. It often leads to more robust and reliable products, reduces the need for costly and potentially less effective post-design safety interventions, and ultimately contributes to a safer environment for users and operators. This concept is applicable across a wide range of fields, including engineering, product development, software design, and urban planning, emphasizing a preventative and integrated approach to safety.