A safety management system (SMS) typically consists of four key components: Safety Policy, Safety Risk Management, Safety Assurance, and Safety Promotion. Each of these components can be broken down into seven elements that contribute to an effective system. Below, we will outline where each of these seven elements can be found within the four components.
Four Components of a Safety Management System
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Safety Policy
- Element 1: Safety Objectives - This defines the goals of the SMS and outlines the organization's commitment to safety.
- Element 2: Safety Culture - This reflects the organization's values, beliefs, and behaviors regarding safety.
- Element 3: Management Commitment - This emphasizes the management's support for the implementation and maintenance of the SMS.
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Safety Risk Management
- Element 4: Hazard Identification - This involves recognizing potential hazards that could impact safety.
- Element 5: Risk Assessment and Mitigation - This process assesses identified risks and implementing measures to mitigate them.
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Safety Assurance
- Element 6: Safety Performance Monitoring - This component involves tracking and measuring safety performance through audits and evaluations.
- Element 7: Continuous Improvement - This element focuses on the proactive adjustment of safety practices based on monitoring results and feedback.
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Safety Promotion
- This component includes the promotion of a positive safety culture and involves training and communication to ensure all personnel understand safety procedures and responsibilities.
Summary
To summarize, the placement of the seven elements in the safety management system structure is as follows:
- Safety Policy: Safety Objectives, Safety Culture, Management Commitment
- Safety Risk Management: Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment and Mitigation
- Safety Assurance: Safety Performance Monitoring, Continuous Improvement
- Safety Promotion: Training and Communication (which although not strictly one of the seven elements often aligns closely with fostering safety culture and commitment)
This structure ensures that all aspects of safety are addressed and integrated into daily operations.