Independent safety assessment (ISA)

Independent safety assessment involves making a judgement against a set of requirements about the safety adequacy of a product, system or process in a particular context and environment. It may require demonstration of compliance to recognised standards but for specific situations full compliance may not be necessary.

Independent safety assessment involves making a judgement against a set of requirements about the safety adequacy of a product, system or process in a particular context and environment. It may require demonstration of compliance to recognised standards but for specific situations full compliance may not be necessary.

How we can help
Depending on the outcome of our work, our assessors may identify areas that can be enhanced and can help you fully understand regulatory or standards requirements. Whilst we cannot give specific recommendations on any changes you may need to make (as this would affect the independent nature of our role), we can give general guidance on established and accepted industry good practice for your consideration. Our assessors themselves also work on engineering projects so are familiar with the challenges of delivering transport products and systems.

Independent assessment is specified by many safety standards and, in the UK, also by the Rail Engineering Safety Management System "Yellow Book".

It may involve a series of safety audits and safety assessments. Audits provide evidence that you are following your plans for safety, whereas assessments provide evidence that you are meeting your safety requirements. The frequency and extent of each will depend upon the associated risk, novelty and complexity of the items being assessed.

We regularly audit organisations against various standards and guidelines including ISO 9001, BSI - PAS 55 and ISO 14001. We hold accreditation as an assessment body for IRIS and the Railway Industry Supplier Accreditation Scheme (RISAS).

What are the benefits?
Our approach is pragmatic and informed but above all collaborative. We don't try to catch you out or press for more and more documentation or analysis. Our experience has taught us that by collaborating witht he client it is possible to produce a better outcome, save money and reduce project risk by identifying and then dealing with issues early on in the project lifecycle. A real "win-win" outcome.

Recent projects
• We acted as ISA and Independent Technical Assessor for the Dorset Coast (UK) re-signalling project. The signalling equipment, consisting of axle counters, interlocking and control system, had been proven in service in Germany and was adapted for application in the UK. Our assessment took account of the operating experience in Germany by reviewing and, where appropriate accepting, existing approvals. This limited the scope of new assessments - and therefore the cost to our client - to elements where UK and German practice differed significantly.

• ISA of Tung Chun Cable Car, Hong Kong, to assess the adequacy of the safety management incorporated in the design, manufacturing and installation, testing, commissioning and trial operation processes adopted by the main contractors and the operator.