The Safe-DIS System (Initial Release v.1.0)

School of EEITM
University of Surrey
Guildford, Surrey
GU2 5XH, UK

Tel: +44 (0)1483 259823
Fax: +44 (0)1483 876051

The Safe-DIS system has been developed over the course of the 3 year Safe-DIS project. In the early stages it took the form of a 'workbench' in which a selection of software tools for ensuring safe design could be accessed from a single menu. However this burdened the user with the responsibility for deciding when, and if, to use certain tools.

The tools developed, e.g. text browsers, safety labels, expert system modules and those acquired from other sources, e.g. risk analysis software and World Wide Web browsing software, only became a system once they were embedded in the simulation and design process.

Being aware that desired procedures vary between institutions, the Safe-DIS system provides a generic set of tasks which a user of the 'Professional' edition is free to manipulate, edit and add to. Thus a task structure is created to which safety-related information and software tools are attached.

Once the user has previewed the structure and is satisfied, it is then passed to an engineer who uses the 'Roster' edition to perform the tasks, as described by the task structure. The Roster edition produces a 'diary' which automatically records key actions taken by the user and also the user's own comments where appropriate.

Thus safety is maintained at several levels.

There is a clear understanding between manager and staff as to what tasks are to be done, and in what order, whilst the 'diary' ensures that the engineer, and manager, can check exactly what was done to / with a model and when.
At each stage in the process the engineer is presented with relevant safety-related warnings and advice. Further, optional textual information is often available, with links to more extensive reference works, e.g. legislation.
Additionally tools such as risk analysis and automated expert system procedures are also available. These automated procedures, based upon expert knowledge, ensure that certain well defined tasks can be performed in a consistent manner with no risk of inaccuracies.
Various project deliverables and published research papers describe the Safe-DIS system and its development in greater detail.

Alternatively, contact Dr Khurshid Ahmad

Dept. of Mathematical and Computing Sciences

University of Surrey

Guildford

Surrey GU2 5XH

fax: 01483 876051

email: k.ahmad@surrey.ac.uk