Discuss the difference between a product and a system
Directly from the text; System is a composite consist of people, procedures, and facilities and/or hardware working in a given environment to perform specific task. (Stephans, 60)
Product is; not so well explained in the text; the hardware can be most easily said to be two things the tools used to produce an item and the item produced itself. This is seen in the text when it both describes a screwdrivers purpose and the output at a facility being a weapon system.

4. List the three general steps involved in initiating the planning and development of a system safety program.
Developing the best plan for any organization will start with the most basic of steps:
Determine where you want to go. Examine the generic model. Modify it as necessary to meet the needs of your organization.
Determine where you are. Compare your existing system safety program with the model and systematically list all differences.
Develop a detailed plan to close the gap. Tailor and edit the procedures given here, if necessary, to produce a systematic plan for transforming your present program into the ideal program. (Stephans, 61)

1. What are the three broad categories of system safety tasks? Who is generally responsible for each task?
• Hazard identification [identifying]– includes determining what parts of the project constitue a hazard and determininig the location of these hazards. Continues throughout the life cycle but is concentrated in the concept and design phase…(Stephans, 64)
• Hazard analysis [analyzing] – involves evaluating each identified hazard by determining the potential severity of accidents resulting from each hazard and the probability that such an accident will occur. (Stephans, 66)
• Hazard control [controlling] – involves applying the safety precedence sequence to identified hazards that present unacceptable risks until the risk are controlled to an acceptable level.
Primary system safety task are normally prepared by an SSWG consisting of representatives from management, safety, engineering, and the end user organization or group. (Stephans, 63)

3. What are the primary life cycle phases?
• Concept phase – The initial phase of any project, during which general objectives and specifications are developed.
• Design phase – General objectives and specifications are made specific.
• Production phase – The plans and specifications are converted into the end product.
• Operations phase – The end product is in use during this phase
• Disposal phase – The end product is discontinued, destroyed or otherwise discarded.
6. What are the three recommended subphases of the operations phase?
• Early phase – high frequency of inspections, making necessary corrections early
• Middle phase – low frequency of inspections, processes are in place
• Late phase – increased frequency of inspections, ensure final stages are adequately safe

References
Stephans, R. A. (2004). System safety for the 21st century: The updated and revised edition of System safety 2000. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley-Interscience