A standard for determination of optimal safety in engineering practice

A “Draft” standard, based on an application of the Life Quality Index (LQI), is proposed for the determination of optimal safety levels in engineering practice. This paper provides a basis for the development of a uniform universal standard for the assessment and evaluation of safety practices. The specific focus herein is on structural safety. The requirements, the tools and the methods relevant for a decision-maker to make an informed judgment about allocating the correct level of expenditure that optimizes safety are described. The evaluation process, the requirements for relevant data to support the analysis, and the major components of the LQI model are illustrated by specific examples.