Safe-by-Design in Engineering: An Overview and Comparative Analysis of Engineering Disciplines

Pieter van Gelder, Pim Klaassen, Behnam Taebi, Bart Walhout, Ruud van Ommen, Ibo van de Poel, Zoe Robaey, Lotte Asveld, Ruud Balkenende, Frank Hollmann, Erik Jan van Kampen, Nima Khakzad, Robbert Krebbers, Jos de Lange, Wolter Pieters, Karel Terwel, Eelco Visser, Tiny van der Werff and Dick Jung
Additional contact information
Pieter van Gelder: Safety and Security Institute, Delft University of Technology, 2600 GA Delft, The Netherlands
Pim Klaassen: Athena Institute, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Behnam Taebi: Safety and Security Institute, Delft University of Technology, 2600 GA Delft, The Netherlands
Bart Walhout: National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, RIVM, 3720 BA Bilthoven, The Netherlands
Ruud van Ommen: Safety and Security Institute, Delft University of Technology, 2600 GA Delft, The Netherlands
Ibo van de Poel: Safety and Security Institute, Delft University of Technology, 2600 GA Delft, The Netherlands
Zoe Robaey: Department of Social Sciences, Wageningen University & Research, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
Lotte Asveld: Safety and Security Institute, Delft University of Technology, 2600 GA Delft, The Netherlands
Ruud Balkenende: Safety and Security Institute, Delft University of Technology, 2600 GA Delft, The Netherlands
Frank Hollmann: Safety and Security Institute, Delft University of Technology, 2600 GA Delft, The Netherlands
Erik Jan van Kampen: Safety and Security Institute, Delft University of Technology, 2600 GA Delft, The Netherlands
Nima Khakzad: School of Occupational and Public Health, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON M5B 2K3, Canada
Robbert Krebbers: Safety and Security Institute, Delft University of Technology, 2600 GA Delft, The Netherlands
Jos de Lange: Safety and Security Institute, Delft University of Technology, 2600 GA Delft, The Netherlands
Wolter Pieters: Faculty of Social Sciences, Radboud University, 6525 XZ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
Karel Terwel: Safety and Security Institute, Delft University of Technology, 2600 GA Delft, The Netherlands
Eelco Visser: Safety and Security Institute, Delft University of Technology, 2600 GA Delft, The Netherlands
Tiny van der Werff: Directorate Environmental Safety and Risks, Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, 2515 XP The Hague, The Netherlands
Dick Jung: Directorate Environmental Safety and Risks, Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, 2515 XP The Hague, The Netherlands

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 12, 1-28

Abstract: In this paper, we provide an overview of how Safe-by-Design is conceived and applied in practice in a large number of engineering disciplines. We discuss the differences, commonalities, and possibilities for mutual learning found in those practices and identify several ways of putting those disciplinary outlooks in perspective. The considered engineering disciplines in the order of historically grown technologies are construction engineering, chemical engineering, aerospace engineering, urban engineering, software engineering, bio-engineering, nano-engineering, and finally cyber space engineering. Each discipline is briefly introduced, the technology at issue is described, the relevant or dominant hazards are examined, the social challenge(s) are observed, and the relevant developments in the field are described. Within each discipline the risk management strategies, the design principles promoting safety or safety awareness, and associated methods or tools are discussed. Possible dilemmas that the designers in the discipline face are highlighted. Each discipline is concluded by discussing the opportunities and bottlenecks in addressing safety. Commonalities and differences between the engineering disciplines are investigated, specifically on the design strategies for which empirical data have been collected. We argue that Safe-by-Design is best considered as a specific elaboration of Responsible Research and Innovation, with an explicit focus on safety in relation to other important values in engineering such as well-being, sustainability, equity, and affordability. Safe-by-Design provides for an intellectual venue where social science and the humanities (SSH) collaborate on technological developments and innovation by helping to proactively incorporate safety considerations into engineering practices, while navigating between the extremes of technological optimism and disproportionate precaution. As such, Safe-by-Design is also a practical tool for policymakers and risk assessors that helps shape governance arrangements for accommodating and incentivizing safety, while fully acknowledging uncertainty.

Keywords: safe-by-design; secure-by-design; risk-based design; design for values; responsible research and innovation; uncertainty (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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