Is inherently safer design applicable only to the chemical and process industries?

Inherently safer design is not limited to the chemical and process industries; it has broader applications across various sectors. This approach focuses on the principles of minimizing hazards by eliminating or reducing the potential for accidents at their source, rather than relying solely on protective measures and controls.

Industries such as pharmaceuticals, oil and gas, manufacturing, and even sectors like civil engineering and food processing can benefit from inherently safer design principles. The core idea is to foster a culture of safety that transcends industry boundaries, promoting the creation of processes and systems that are inherently less hazardous.

Thus, acknowledging that inherently safer design is applicable beyond a single industry reinforces its universal importance in risk reduction and safety enhancement. Other choices imply limitations that the principles of inherently safer design do not support. For example, the notion that it only applies to high-risk industries ignores the fact that safety improvements can be valuable across all types of sectors. Similarly, restrictions to only new processes overlook the potential for improving existing systems through inherent safety measures.