Is it true that inherently safer designs rely on added-on protective equipment to control hazards?

Inherently safer designs prioritize the elimination or reduction of hazards at their source rather than relying on additional protective equipment to control those hazards. The objective of these designs is to make processes safer by incorporating safety features directly into the design, thereby minimizing potential risks from the outset. This can be achieved through strategies such as substituting less hazardous materials, simplifying processes, or using safer operating conditions.

By contrast, reliance on added-on protective equipment often addresses hazards that are already present rather than eliminating the hazards altogether. Inherently safer designs avoid this approach, which is why the assertion that they rely on added protective equipment is false. Hence, stating that inherently safer designs do not depend on additional protective measures aligns with their fundamental goal of promoting safety through design innovation and hazard mitigation from the beginning.