The European Spallation Source (ESS) is one of the largest science and technology infrastructure projects currently under construction, featuring the world’s most powerful linear proton accelerator, a helium-cooled tungsten target, and 15 state-of-the-art neutron instruments. ESS implements a set of so-called Personnel Safety Systems (PSS). The primary role of these is to prevent personnel (i.e. workers) from being harmed by exposure to prompt ionising radiation as generated by the proton and neutron beams and other devices.

The goal of this project is to support PSS in the context of the IEC 61511 and IEC 61508 functional safety standards. The primary focus is on conducting regular independent functional safety assessments, ensuring compliance with the standards across relevant life cycle stages, and delivering functional safety assessment reports. The project team also supports ESS staff in risk, safety, and reliability analysis to ensure high safety standards and contributes to design reviews, including preliminary, critical, and system readiness reviews.