How Many Professionals Work in Functional Safety?
Functional safety employs hundreds of thousands of engineers worldwide — but how many are properly certified? Learn the scale of the profession and why competence certification matters.
Functional Safety in Industries: An Overview of Key International Standards
The key functional safety standards — IEC 61508, IEC 61511, and IEC 62061 — apply across industries from process to machinery. Learn what each covers and how they relate to each other.
Five SIL Tasks for Each Safety Lifecycle Phase — IEC 61511
Each phase of the IEC 61511 safety lifecycle has specific SIL-related tasks. Learn the five key activities that must be completed in each phase to achieve and maintain SIL compliance.
Tolerable Risk Level — A Critical Concept in Risk Analysis
The tolerable risk level defines how much risk is acceptable for a safety function. Learn how to determine it, how ALARP applies, and why it is one of the most debated concepts in safety.
Why 90% of Safety Functions Fail to Meet Functional Safety Standards
Research shows that most safety functions in industry are not SIL compliant. Learn the most common reasons why, what the standards actually require, and how to close the gap.
Risk Assessment for Small and Medium Enterprises — A Practical Guide
Risk assessment does not have to be complex or expensive for SMEs. Learn how small and medium enterprises can implement effective, proportionate risk assessment processes.
SIL 3 for Mechanical Devices — Is It Really Possible?
SIL 3 is achievable for mechanical devices — but it requires careful analysis and strong evidence. Learn what IEC 61508 and IEC 61511 require and what it takes to justify SIL 3 for mechanical components.
How to Determine the Proof Test Frequency — IEC 61511
Proof test frequency has a direct impact on PFD and SIL achievement. Learn how to determine the right proof test interval using IEC 61511 requirements and reliability calculations.
Operators and Safety Instrumented Functions — Roles and Responsibilities
Operators play a critical role in the performance of Safety Instrumented Functions. Learn what IEC 61511 requires from operators, how to define their responsibilities, and common failures.
Safety Requirement Specification (SRS) — Why It Matters for Functional Safety
The Safety Requirement Specification is one of the most critical documents in a functional safety project. Learn what it must contain, common failures, and how to write one correctly.