Safety Management System (SMS) Basics
Elements of a SMS
Whether we realize it or not, every company has a SMS. The question is, what does it look like? In some companies, the SMS is nothing more than loose collection of ill-thought-out programs and activities. Other companies, that understand the benefits, will develop an effective integrated SMS that include important elements and activities:
- Vision statement: Tells the world what the company would like to have accomplished in the future.
- Mission statement: Tells the world why the company exists. It's purpose. What it does.
- Goals and Objectives: Intended outcomes that support the mission and vision.
- Policies: General guidance formulated and implemented by managers at all levels.
- Programs: Describe coordinated strategies that support policy.
- Plans: Give clear written (formal) guidelines on how to implement programs and policies. Includes long-term strategies and short-term tactics.
- Processes: Make sure safety is integrated into operational processes.
- Procedures: Ensure concise formal/informal step-by-step instructions.
- Practices: Employee methods and techniques that help to protect employees from injury or illness.
- Budgets: Funding that supports investment in all of the above.
- Rules: Clearly stated specifications and performance standards.
- Reports: Reflect process and measures results. Evaluates effectiveness of all the above.
Safety Culture
The most successful Safety Management System (SMS) includes an underlying safety culture that reflects long-term commitment to safety and tough-caring leadership.
Believe it or not, OSHA has a pretty good definition for a safety culture. OSHA defines a safety culture as a combination of an organization's collective safety attitudes, behaviors, beliefs, values, ways of doing things, and other shared characteristics.
Employers and employees see culture from different perspectives. From the employer's point of view, the company's safety culture is something to be managed, but if you ask employees to define the company's culture, they will likely tell you it's "just the way things are around here."
This first module will briefly explore commitment, leadership, and responsibilities, and take a look at some of the other important components that are necessary in an effective SMS and culture.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
1-1. The most successful Safety Management System (SMS) includes a safety culture that _____.
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