The global skills and competency framework for the digital world

Safety engineering SFEN

Applying appropriate methods to assure safety during all lifecycle phases of safety-related systems developments.

Revision notes

Updates for SFIA 9

  • Theme(s) influencing the updates for this skill: Making SFIA easier to consume (new levels).
  • New level 2 added to support entry-level roles.
  • You can move to SFIA 9 when you are ready - SFIA 8 skill descriptions will still be available to use.
  • Previous SFIA assessments or skills mapping are not impacted by this change.

Guidance notes

Safety-critical systems are those in which a system failure could harm human life, other living things, physical structures, or the environment. 

Activities may include, but are not limited to:

  • safety hazard and risk analysis
  • safety requirements specification
  • safety-related systems architectural design
  • formal method design
  • safety validation and verification
  • safety case preparation
  • applying generic safety standards such as IEC 61508, IEC 61511 or industry-specific safety standards.

System safety is engineered and measured by safety levels based on hazard and risk analysis.

Understanding the responsibility levels of this skill

Where lower levels are not defined...
  • Specific tasks and responsibilities are not defined because the skill requires a higher level of autonomy, influence, and complexity in decision-making than is typically expected at these levels. You can use the essence statements to understand the generic responsibilities associated with these levels.
Where higher levels are not defined...
  • Responsibilities and accountabilities are not defined because these higher levels involve strategic leadership and broader organisational influence that goes beyond the scope of this specific skill. See the essence statements.

Developing skills and demonstrating responsibilities related to this skill

The defined levels show the incremental progression in skills and responsibilities.

Where lower levels are not defined...

You can develop your knowledge and support others who do have responsibility in this area by:

  • Learning key concepts and principles related to this skill and its impact on your role
  • Performing related skills (see the related SFIA skills)
  • Supporting others who are performing higher level tasks and activities
Where higher levels are not defined...
  • You can progress by developing related skills which are better suited to higher levels of organisational leadership.

Show/hide extra descriptions and levels.

Levels of responsibility for this skill

2 3 4 5 6

Safety engineering: Level 2

Level 2 - Assist: Essence of the level: Provides assistance to others, works under routine supervision, and uses their discretion to address routine problems. Actively learns through training and on-the-job experiences.

Assists with safety engineering tasks under routine supervision.

Supports the documentation of hazard and risk analysis activities.

Helps collect safety assurance evidence using agreed methods and procedures.

Safety engineering: Level 3

Level 3 - Apply: Essence of the level: Performs varied tasks, sometimes complex and non-routine, using standard methods and procedures. Works under general direction, exercises discretion, and manages own work within deadlines. Proactively enhances skills and impact in the workplace.

Contributes to hazard and risk analysis during system development and implementation using agreed methods and procedures.

Documents the results of hazard and risk analysis activities.

Contributes to the collection of safety assurance evidence using appropriate methods and tools.

Undertakes all work in accordance with agreed safety, technical and quality standards.

Safety engineering: Level 4

Level 4 - Enable: Essence of the level: Performs diverse complex activities, supports and guides others, delegates tasks when appropriate, works autonomously under general direction, and contributes expertise to deliver team objectives.

Contributes to identifying, analysing and documenting hazards and safety risks using agreed methods and procedures.

Contributes to the specification of safety requirements.

Analyses and documents safety validation results during system development and implementation.

Contributes to developing and maintaining project safety assurance plans. Gathers safety assurance evidence for safety case preparation.

Safety engineering: Level 5

Level 5 - Ensure, advise: Essence of the level: Provides authoritative guidance in their field and works under broad direction. Accountable for delivering significant work outcomes, from analysis through execution to evaluation.

Identifies and analyses hazards and contributes to identifying and evaluating risk reduction measures, ensuring these are adequately documented.

Specifies safety-related systems architectures for defined safety levels.

Develops and maintains project safety assurance plans. Monitors implementation and compliance. Ensures safety assurance evidence is gathered for safety case preparation.

Works with system architects, designers and developers to assure safety requirements implementation.

Safety engineering: Level 6

Level 6 - Initiate, influence: Essence of the level: Has significant organisational influence, makes high-level decisions, shapes policies, demonstrates leadership, promotes organisational collaboration, and accepts accountability in key areas.

Takes full responsibility for hazard analysis and risk evaluation, safety-related systems architectural design and safety compliance planning.

Leads the definition and allocation of safety requirements for the system, according to the system's nature and required safety level.

Takes responsibility for the safety-related aspects of multiple complex or high safety integrity level projects.

Keywords
New level