INDEPENDENT SAFETY ASSESSMENT (ISA)
Independent Safety Assessment (ISA) is the formation of a judgement, separate and independent from any system design, development or operational personnel, that the safety requirements for the system are appropriate and adequate for the planned application and that the system satisfies those safety requirements. It is increasingly being used to obtain assurance of safety.
Frequently it is expected that ISAs have solid, in-depth knowledge and experience in both system safety and software safety.
Independent safety assessors carry responsibilities that demand a high level of professional conduct. The Codes of Practice of professional bodies whose members may carry out independent safety assessments provide for an appropriate level of general professional conduct. However, the role of independent safety assessor carries with it particular professional responsibilities that need to be emphasized in the professional conduct of the assessor.
WHY PROJECTS NEED AN ISA
ISA acts as an independent entity for the project and safety engineering team. By leading the assessment activities, ISA attests to correctly managed safety risks and assures safety authorities of its system operations.
The ISA must begin at the start of the project. The earlier the ISA is involved, the better the safety assessment activities will be planned. At the beginning of the mission, the ISA produces a safety assessment plan which indicates the key milestones of the assessment to ensure completion on time.
The ISA must begin at the start of the project. The earlier the ISA is involved, the better the safety assessment activities will be planned. At the beginning of the mission, the ISA produces a safety assessment plan which indicates the key milestones of the assessment to ensure completion on time.