safetyDepend

SafetyDepend is a conceptual framework or principle that emphasizes the importance of designing systems, products, and processes with an inherent reliance on safety mechanisms. This approach suggests that rather than treating safety as an add-on or an afterthought, it should be a fundamental, integrated component from the initial stages of development. The core idea is that critical safety functions should not be easily bypassed or disabled, and that the system's overall stability and integrity should depend on these safety features functioning correctly.

This principle often manifests in the design of safety-critical systems, such as those found in aviation, automotive engineering, or medical devices. For instance, a safety-dependent braking system in a vehicle would be designed so that its primary function is to stop the vehicle, and this function cannot be easily overridden by the driver if a dangerous situation is detected. Similarly, in industrial machinery, safety interlocks that prevent operation under unsafe conditions are examples of safety-dependent design.

The philosophy behind safetyDepend aims to reduce the likelihood of accidents and failures by building resilience and inherent safety into the system's architecture. It encourages a proactive rather than reactive approach to safety management, where potential hazards are anticipated and mitigated through design rather than relying solely on operational procedures or human intervention, which can be prone to error.