Functional Safety Management

Functional safety fails long before any system is built. The real problem is management — and most companies don't see it coming.

This book explains why functional safety succeeds or fails at the management level — and gives you a clear, practical system to get it right.

Written by Dr. Michel Houtermans — 25+ years of functional safety experience across oil & gas, chemicals, energy, and manufacturing. Used in Risknowlogy training programmes worldwide.

The 5 Core Concepts Every Manager Must Understand

This book breaks functional safety management down into five essential concepts that every engineer, manager, and decision-maker must master:

1. Safety Life Cycle — Define the work and structure it correctly from the start.
2. Competency — Ensure the right people do the right work.
3. Verification & Validation — Eliminate mistakes before they become failures.
4. Documentation — Prove what was done, and make it auditable.
5. Procedures — Make safety management repeatable and scalable.

Master these five concepts and you can manage any functional safety project — regardless of standard, industry, or complexity.

Why This Book Is Different

Most resources explain what the standards say. This book explains why companies fail even when they follow the standards — and what to do about it.

• Based on decades of real-world experience and documented industry failures
• Explains why project management is not functional safety management
• Shows how to prevent conflicts between safety objectives and cost pressure
• Covers both company-level and project-level management requirements

Who This Book Is For

• Functional safety managers and engineers
• Engineering managers and department heads
• Company leadership and decision-makers
• EPCs, system integrators, and OEMs
• Anyone responsible for safety or compliance outcomes

What You Get

• Format: PDF + EPUB — both included in a single download
• Delivery: Instant download after purchase

The Result

After reading this book you will understand how to structure functional safety in your organisation, avoid the most common and expensive mistakes, and deliver consistent, compliant, and safe solutions.

If you are responsible for safety, this book is not optional.