History of Safety Science

Safety and security sciences boast a rich and multidisciplinary history of nearly two centuries of intriguing and impactful research and development. Nevertheless, these fields are still on the fringe of formal scientific recognition and public awareness of their influence on daily life remains limited. The TU Delft Section of Safety and Security Science (Department of Values, Technology, and Innovation) created a series of enlightening posters to help remedy this.

The posters showcase the historical evolution of safety and security sciences, highlighting their deep multidisciplinary roots and substantial contributions to society. This initiative is committed to enhancing understanding and appreciation of these vital fields, underscoring their significance in our increasingly complex world.

Originating during the early stages of industrialization, occupational safety emerged from the collective efforts of social activists, physicians, and engineers. Their dedication to enhancing factory workers' working conditions, health, and overall prospects laid the foundation for what would evolve into a complex field. As the industrial landscape shifted towards mass production, factories transformed into intricate sociotechnical systems, necessitating more sophisticated safety solutions. This evolution ushered in the integration of economics, mathematics, and psychology, giving rise to the discipline of safety management.

As time progressed, the rise of organized crime, terrorism, corporate espionage, and burgeoning cyber threats necessitated direct attention to ensure the security of modern societies incapable of protecting themselves with the existing tools. These challenges led to the birth of security research; a discipline focused on intentional threats that builds largely upon safety principles. Experts from diverse backgrounds converged to scrutinize these threats, delving into their implications, countermeasures, and the ethical and legal aspects of their implementation, forming security science.

Project team

The posters have been designed by Rioshar Yarveisy, with input from Paul Swuste, Karolien van Nunen and Genserik Reniers (Safety and Security Science Section, TU Delft).

Sources

The posters are based on the following book:

Paul Swuste, Coen van Gulijk, Walter Zwaard, Saul Lemkowitz, Yvette Oostendorp & Jop Groeneweg (2019). From Safety to Safety Science, the evolution of thinking and practice. Routledge.