What is a common application of the principle of redundancy in safety engineering?

The principle of redundancy in safety engineering is fundamentally about ensuring that there are multiple layers of protection or backup systems in place to mitigate the risk of failure. Adding backup systems is a practical application of this principle. By implementing additional systems that can take over in case of a primary system failure, the overall safety and reliability of a system are significantly enhanced. This approach is especially crucial in critical environments such as aviation, healthcare, and industrial operations, where the consequences of a failure can be catastrophic.

In contrast, the other options do not effectively represent the principle of redundancy. Eliminating all risks is virtually impossible because every workplace inherently involves some level of risk. Single-use safety equipment may be effective for a specific event but does not provide ongoing protection through redundancy. Increasing layout space, while potentially beneficial for overall safety and efficiency, does not directly relate to the concept of having backup systems to prevent failure. Therefore, the choice of adding backup systems precisely encapsulates the purpose and application of redundancy in ensuring safety.