Abstract The three fundamental components of a safety system are man, machine, and method (Figure 1). Effective safety systems address the interaction of these components to optimize the capability of the system as a whole. Man is the most critical component in the system because manuals, policies, and procedures (methods) can not and will not alone ensure a safe and healthy operation. Likewise, there are no accessories or guards (machines) that can compensate for a lack of careful attention and competent skill level. Safety systems should be managed with the aim to help people optimize the system so that everyone benefits (win/win).