Whether we recognize it or not, many of the OSHA standards follow the principles of a well-grounded Safety Management System (SMS) that includes:
- Hazard Identification
- Hazard Analysis using a recognized methodology
- Risk Assessment so that risk can be quantified and put into perspective
- Risk Mitigation using the Hierarchy of Controls (Elm, Sub, Eng, Adm, PPE)
Take, for example, OSHA’s Permit-Required Confined Space standards (1910.146 and 1926.1201). These standards have requirements that align perfectly with this SMS model; however, since OSHA is the bare minimum requirements, there is no risk assessment