Outline

Overview

This unit aims to develop an understanding of principles of safety systems and risk management, as applied to engineering systems. AS/NZS 45001 forms the foundation for teaching methods of developing, implementing, monitoring and improving a safety management system in an Engineering context. Students will be exposed to a number of case studies related to safety systems and on completion of the course be able to develop a safety management plan for an Engineering facility that meets the requirements of NSW legislation and Australian standards for Occupational Health and Safety management systems. Students are introduced to a variety of risk management approaches used by industry, and methods to quantify and estimate the consequences and probabilities of risks occurring, as applied to realistic industrial scenarios.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Aerospace, Mechanical and Mechatronic
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	CHNG9306
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Rod Fiford, rod.fiford@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 1 September 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Written exam ?	Final examination Formal open book exam. Note students must pass exam to pass the unit! 1 double sided hand-written page of notes permitted.	50%	Formal exam period	2 hours	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Case studies	Case study report & video Formal written case study report and video - see Canvas for more details.	15%	Week 04 Due date: 31 Aug 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 14 Sep 2025	1500 word report and 2-3 minute video.	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Practical skill	Hazard identification/risk assessment task Hazard identification/risk assessment task - 100% late penalty. Held during your scheduled tutorial session.	5%	Week 06	75 minutes	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Safety management system plan overview Formal written safety management plan - see Canvas for more details	17.5%	Week 08 Due date: 26 Sep 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 10 Oct 2025	20 page limit (excluding appendices)	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Incident investigation and analysis task Formal written report and analysis.	12.5%	Week 12 Due date: 31 Oct 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 14 Nov 2025	15 page limit.	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ? = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Case study report & video: Report & video analyzing failures of safety systems in a major industrial incident. (10% report and 5% video)

Hazard identification/risk assessment task: Group task (2-4) is to write a formal risk assessment for a given scenario (as per method given in lectures/tutorials)

Safety management system plan overview: Group task (2-4) to develop and write safety managment guidance plan for chosen company based on ISO45001 and NSW WHS Act.

Incident investigation & analysis task: Group task (2-4) to investigate and analyse potential issues in given hypothetical safety incident at site.

Final examination: Two hour open book exam. Note students MUST pass the exam to pass the unit of study. Closed book exam with NO ELECTRONIC DEVICES permitted. 1 double sided A4 page of hand written notes permitted.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Note that Sparkplus will be used for self and peer assessment for all group work activities and individual student marks may be adjusted according to Sparkplus results. Failure to effectively contribute to groupwork will result in a lower grade and potential fail for task. Failure to provide meaningful feedback via Sparkplus excludes students from appealing RPF values. See Sparkplus module on Canvas for more details.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Distinction	75 - 84	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Credit	65 - 74	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Pass	50 - 64	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Hazard ID risk assessment task is held during timetabled tutorial and 100% late penalty applies. Otherwise standard 5% late penalty per day applies.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Multiple weeks	Out of class group-work and collaboration.	Independent study (20 hr)
Ongoing	Student independent research & study -5 hours per week	Individual study (65 hr)
Week 01	L: Introduction to unit, concepts of "accidents, safety and risk". T: NO TUTORIAL in WEEK 1	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	L: Are accidents preventable? Introduction to safety hazard and risk management procedures. T: What are accidents? Sharing of student experiences.	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 03	L: NSW WHS Act, AS/NZS/ISO 45001 Standard for OHS management systems T: Informal risk assessment analysis	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 04	L: Some common hazard and risk management processes T: NSW WHS Legislation, ISO45001 - workplace scenario discussions	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 05	L: Safety management system planning & operation T: Formal risk assessment. GROUP FORMATION for Safety Plan Assignment	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 06	L: Auditing safety management systems, performing safety inspections T: IN CLASS RISK ASSESSMENT TASK.	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 07	L: Human factors in safety systems management T: Safe work method statements, assignment GROUPWORK	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 08	L: Learning from past incidents, incident investigation T: GROUPWORK for safety plan assignment	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 09	L: Major hazards legislation and management T: Human factors scenarios	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 10	L: Estimating/quantifying probabilities and consequences of incidents T: Longford gas explosion case study	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 11	L: HAZOPS and other safety analysis tools. T: Major Hazard Facilities, quantitative risk assessment tools. GROUPWORK	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 12	L: Creating and managing a positive and 'just' workplace safety culture T: Fault tree analysis, HAZOPS, GROUPWORK	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 13	L: Course revision and exam preparation T: Recent news case studies, general Q&A exam prep.	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Students must attend all classes as per University and Faculty of Engineering guidelines.

Groupwork assignments in particular require students to be in tutorials and to contribute effectively to group discussions.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

AS/NZS/ISO 45001 Standard.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. understand, influence and incorporate the concept of safety and quality management systems and AS/NZS/ISO standards to safety management systems design
LO2. understand and practically apply industry standards and show their fundamental relevance to an effective safety management system
LO3. develop and use a systematic method of decision making as applicable to a task or project specification
LO4. appreciate and understand the basis of human factors component used in decision making and systems development
LO5. understand and incorporate the concepts of safety management systems and the use of predictive techniques such as risk assessment to justify and develop strategic management systems
LO6. write a concise, technical engineering report based on case study in safety management.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Weekly schedule altered slightly, final assessment task modified.

Additional information

Work, health and safety

No laboratories or workshops.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

ENGG5103: Safety Systems and Risk Analysis

Semester 2, 2025 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links