700 Introduction to Safety Management

Characteristics

• Vision: The SMS will reflect management's vision for safety that tells the world what the company believes about itself. The corporate vision influences an organization's strategic goals and objectives. A simple vision statement might say, "Our safety vision at 123 Industries is to be the benchmark for safety excellence in our industry."
• Mission: The SMS mission tells the world why it exists, its purpose, and what it does to realize its vision. For instance, a simple mission statement might say, "Our mission at 123 Industries is to achieve and maintain an injury-free workplace."
• Goals and Objectives: Goals and objectives describe the long-term strategies and short-term tactics the company uses to achieve its SMS mission and vision.
• Structure: The SMS structure is determined by how it is designed. It describes management positions and programs. The structure is usually described using an organizational chart indicating various positions such as a safety manager, line/staff managers, supervisors, and a safety committee.
• Inputs: The inputs of an effective SMS include the resources and information needed to manage safety within an organization. Staffing, funding, physical resources and psychosocial support, dedicated time, and facilities all provide the inputs needed for the SMS to perform successfully.
• Behavior: The sum total of how all individuals in an organization conduct their day-to-day safety responsibilities describes the overall behavior of the SMS. These behaviors are influenced by how people perceive the safety function and their role in it. If SMS leaders act like safety "cops" instead of safety "consultants," the SMS will primarily function as an enforcement mechanism. But a well-functioning SMS will behave in a way that is proactive, flexible, and responsive to changing safety needs.
• Performance: How well the SMS executes its programs and achieves its goals describes its performance. Performance is aligned with the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) of responsible individuals. It's guided by the quality of internal SMS policies, programs, written plans, processes, procedures, and practices.
• Outputs: The outputs of an effective SMS are the outcomes or results achieved in managing safety risks within an organization. This includes a reduction in safety incidents and injuries, improved safety performance metrics, and a culture of safety within the organization.

Elements In an SMS

1. Commitment and Leadership: This involves management commitment to the safety program, including establishing safety policies and procedures, providing resources for safety initiatives, and setting a positive example for employees.
2. Accountability: The SMS assures managers and employees are answerable and that appropriate consequences follow performance for maintaining a safe and healthy work environment.
3. Safety Involvement: Employees are encouraged to participate in the safety program by providing input on safety policies and procedures, identifying hazards, and participating in safety training and education.
4. Safety Communications: Communication and coordination are essential elements of the SMS, including regular communication with employees on safety issues, coordination with other departments or contractors, and sharing of safety-related information and data.
5. Hazard Identification, Analysis, and Control: The SMS includes a process for identifying and analyzing potential safety hazards, and implementing control to eliminate or mitigate those hazards.
6. Accident Investigation: The SMS conducts thorough investigations to determine the root causes of non-injury incidents and injury accidents. It develops strategies to prevent similar events from occurring in the future.
7. Education and Training: The SMS provides education and training to employees on safety policies and procedures, hazard recognition, and safe work practices. The goal is to give them the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) through instruction, hands-on training, and practice to work accident-free.
8. Continuous Improvement: The SMS is continually evaluated and improved to ensure that it is effective in identifying and controlling hazards, and that it is meeting the needs of the organization.

The Components in Each Element

• 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.
• Budgets: Support investment in all of the above.
• Rules: Clearly state specifications and performance standards.
• Reports: Reflect process and measures results. Evaluate the effectiveness of all the above.
• Indicators: Measurable values that demonstrate how effectively a company is achieving its goals and objectives.