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IEC 61508 Hardware Safety Assessment Checklist

A comprehensive checklist for assessing hardware safety in accordance with IEC 61508, focusing on the design, implementation, and maintenance of safety-critical hardware components in the energy and utilities sector.

IEC 61508 Hardware Safety Assessment Checklist
by: audit-now
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About This Checklist

The IEC 61508 Hardware Safety Assessment Checklist is an indispensable tool for evaluating the safety and reliability of hardware components in safety-critical systems within the energy and utilities sector. This comprehensive checklist addresses the specific requirements outlined in IEC 61508 for hardware design, implementation, and maintenance. By thoroughly assessing hardware architecture, component selection, failure modes, and diagnostic coverage, this checklist helps organizations identify potential vulnerabilities, ensure hardware integrity, and maintain the safety of electrical, electronic, and programmable electronic safety-related systems. Implementing this checklist not only enhances hardware reliability but also demonstrates a commitment to regulatory compliance and operational excellence in high-risk environments.

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Industry

Energy and Utilities

Standard

IEC 61508 - Functional Safety of Electrical/Electronic Systems

Workspaces

Engineering laboratories
Testing Facilities
Manufacturing Facilities

Occupations

Hardware Engineer
Safety Engineer
Quality Assurance Specialist
Reliability Engineer
Systems Integrator

1
Is the safety integrity level (SIL) clearly defined for the hardware components?

Select the compliance level of the SIL definition.

Ensures that the safety requirements are appropriately categorized based on risk.
2
What percentage of failure modes have been analyzed for the hardware?

Enter the percentage of analyzed failure modes.

To evaluate the thoroughness of the failure mode analysis process.
Min: 0
Target: 100
Max: 100
3
Provide justification for the selection of components used in the hardware architecture.

Explain the rationale behind component selection.

To ensure that selected components meet reliability and safety standards.
4
Is the diagnostic coverage for the hardware components satisfactory?

Select the diagnostic coverage compliance level.

To ensure that the hardware can detect and respond to faults appropriately.
5
Provide an overview of the hardware architecture design.

Describe the hardware architecture in detail.

To assess if the architecture supports safety-critical functions effectively.

6
What is the calculated MTBF for the hardware components?

Enter the MTBF value in hours.

To assess the reliability of the hardware over its operational life.
Min: 0
Target: 5000
Max: 100000
7
How would you rate the overall reliability of the hardware?

Select the reliability rating.

To gauge the perceived reliability based on testing and operational data.
8
Summarize the findings from the latest failure analysis report.

Provide a summary of the failure analysis.

To understand the common failure modes and their implications on safety.
9
What was the date of the last maintenance performed on the hardware?

Enter the last maintenance date.

To track maintenance activities and ensure hardware is kept in optimal condition.
10
Does the hardware comply with relevant reliability standards?

Select the compliance status.

To verify adherence to established reliability benchmarks.

11
How often are safety reviews conducted for the hardware?

Select the frequency of safety reviews.

To ensure that safety reviews are performed regularly to maintain compliance.
12
Has safety training been provided to all personnel involved with the hardware?

Indicate if safety training has been provided.

To ensure that all personnel are adequately trained in safety procedures.
13
Describe the incident reporting procedures in place for hardware issues.

Provide detailed information on the incident reporting procedures.

To evaluate the effectiveness of incident reporting and response.
14
How many safety incidents have been reported in the last year?

Enter the total number of incidents.

To assess the safety performance and identify areas for improvement.
Min: 0
Target: 0
Max: 100
15
What is the action status for open safety issues identified?

Select the current status of open safety issues.

To track the progress of addressing identified safety issues.

16
What is the operational efficiency rate of the hardware?

Enter the operational efficiency rate as a percentage.

To determine how effectively the hardware is performing in its intended application.
Min: 0
Target: 95
Max: 100
17
List the key performance metrics used to evaluate the hardware.

Provide a list of performance metrics.

To ensure that performance is being monitored against established metrics.
18
Is the hardware meeting the defined performance standards?

Select the performance compliance status.

To verify compliance with performance benchmarks set during design.
19
Summarize user feedback regarding the hardware's performance.

Provide a summary of user feedback.

To gather insights from users that may indicate areas for improvement.
20
When was the last performance review conducted for the hardware?

Enter the date of the last performance review.

To ensure that performance reviews are being regularly scheduled and documented.

21
Is the hardware compliant with all relevant safety regulations?

Select the compliance status.

To ensure adherence to safety standards and regulations applicable to the hardware.
22
Are all safety protocols documented and accessible to personnel?

Describe the status of safety protocol documentation.

To ensure that safety protocols are properly documented and available for reference.
23
How many safety audits have been conducted in the last year?

Enter the total number of safety audits conducted.

To track the frequency of safety audits and assess the commitment to safety.
Min: 0
Target: 2
Max: 100
24
How effective is the incident response plan for hardware-related incidents?

Select the effectiveness level of the incident response plan.

To evaluate how well the organization responds to safety incidents.
25
Describe any safety improvement initiatives that have been implemented.

Provide details of safety improvement initiatives.

To document efforts made towards enhancing safety within the hardware environment.

FAQs

This checklist covers hardware architecture design, component selection and qualification, failure mode analysis, diagnostic techniques, and hardware integration with other system elements.

It provides a structured approach to verify that hardware safety requirements are properly implemented, tested, and maintained, reducing the risk of hardware-related safety failures in critical systems.

This checklist should be used by hardware engineers, safety engineers, quality assurance specialists, and auditors involved in the design, implementation, and assessment of safety-critical hardware in the energy and utilities sector.

Key elements include hardware architecture design, component reliability data, failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA), diagnostic coverage assessment, and hardware-software integration.

Assessments should be conducted during the initial design phase, before major hardware changes, and periodically (typically annually) to ensure ongoing compliance and safety integrity.

Benefits

Ensures compliance with IEC 61508 hardware safety requirements

Improves hardware reliability in safety-critical systems

Reduces the risk of hardware-related safety incidents

Facilitates systematic evaluation of hardware architecture and components

Supports continuous improvement in hardware safety processes