An Introduction to Functional Safety (Hybrid Event)
The Principles, Challenges, and Industry Case Studies
About
Functional safety plays a crucial role in ensuring the safe and reliable operation of systems in high-risk industries, reducing the likelihood of hazardous failures that could lead to serious consequences. This presentation provides a general introduction to functional safety, covering key concepts, industry standards such as IEC 61508, and common challenges in implementation. It will also discuss the critical role of alarms as a safety mechanism and their impact on incident prevention.
Through case studies from the power and maritime sectors, it will explore real-world examples of functional safety in practice, highlighting lessons learned and best practices. Attendees will gain a basic understanding of functional safety principles and their importance in designing and maintaining safe systems.
In addition, the presentation will outline the core principles of functional safety, including risk reduction strategies and the concept of Safety Integrity Levels (SIL), while also addressing typical challenges such as system integration and compliance with standards. By the end of the session, it is hoped that attendees will have a clear, practical understanding of how functional safety is implemented across industries and the value it brings in maintaining safe, efficient, and resilient systems.
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Continuing Professional Development
This event can contribute towards your Continuing Professional Development (CPD) hours as part of the IET's CPD monitoring scheme.
29 Apr 2025
6:30pm - 8:00pm
Organiser
- Manchester Local Network
Registration information
You can register to attend in person or online below:
Speakers
Karl Ainscough-Gates
Senior Consultant - Fichtner Consulting Engineers Limited
Specialist in projects across various sectors - Electric Vehicle Charging, Functional Safety, Control and Instrumentation, and Wind Turbines.
EV Charging infrastructure lead for Fichtner.
Has worked on various power generation projects, including Thermal Generation sites, CCGT sites, Energy from Waste sites, Wind Turbines, Hydro sites and Solar sites.
Also is the Promotions Officer for The 61508 Association.
Peter Brown
Functional Safety and Systems Engineer, Technical Directorate - Lloyd's Register EMEA
A specialist in industrial control systems, safety-related systems, high availability systems, safety-related application software and also an experienced networking engineer with extensive knowledge of many forms of networking technology.
Experienced with machinery, the process industry, the maritime sector, IACS cybersecurity (e.g. IEC 62443) and the general conformity assessment process including ISO/IEC 17065.
Part of Lloyd’s Register’s Technical Directorate covering topics such as functional safety, system integration, software conformance, robotics, autonomous systems, remote controls, system communications, cyber security for offshore applications and system simulation / digital twins.
Chair of The 61508 Association (T6A). Significant contributions to relevant T6A guidance and the Conformity Assessment of Safety-related Systems (CASS) assessment templates (plus ongoing support).
Reasons to attend
Attendees unfamiliar with CASS (Conformity Assessment of Safety Related Systems) will gain a basic understanding of functional safety principles and their importance in designing and maintaining safe systems.
Attendees already practising in this area will have the opportunity to refresh their understanding and to updated with recent developments.
All attendees will learn of real life applications and also be able to ask questions of leading members of T6A which sets standards for this area.
Programme
18.00 Arrival and Light Refreshments
18.30 Joint Presentation
19.30 Questions and Answers
20.00 Close
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