We don’t often notice the effects of engineered systems on our daily lives. They’re doing their job. You don’t even think about it when you flip a switch to turn on a light. However, if the light is out, it’s an entirely different story.
Some system failures can be more severe than others. You may not have thought much about offshore oil rigs before the BP oil spillage in the Gulf of Mexico. This disaster has had long-lasting political, economic, and environmental consequences. It is important not to ignore the effects of large-scale mechanical catastrophes. However, the majority of systems work as intended. Many oil rigs work perfectly. Your home’s lights work far more often than they fail.
Why is it that things don’t go as planned? Each object in your house was designed by engineers. Engineers don’t just make things work. Engineers can also help you avoid problems and minimize the damage that could occur. This is known as risk assessment.
Although it may sound easy to do at a boardroom table with risk assessment, it is actually quite complex. Risk assessment is a complex technical process that requires sophisticated methods. Engineers must be alert when applying protocols and scenarios in order to avoid undesirable consequences.
Products are built to be successful. An engineer will see all the potential problems with a product and devise ways to correct them. To prevent punctured tires from causing accidents, you can equip your plane’s landing gears with multiple tires. Engineers should also consider user error. Gas nozzles can be shut off automatically to prevent gas spillages. Engineers will also determine maintenance times and human errors that could occur during maintenance. Engineers will also account for any random incidents that may affect the system.
Although there is no way to completely eliminate risk, engineers can help create safe systems and prevent unintended outcomes.
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