Safety Management System

Fundamentals of a culture of safety

An ideal culture of safety is the engine that continues to propel the safety management system towards the goal of maximum safety and health, regardless of the leadership’s personality or current commercial concerns. Such an ideal is hard to achieve in the real world, but it is nonetheless a goal worth striving for.  The power […]

An organization’s approach to auditing says a lot about its safety maturity

Independent, systematic audits check that risk-control systems and management arrangements within the Safety Management System (SMS) are effective.  An audit is an independent, systematic check of risk-control safeguards and the SMS to ensure business objectives are met. An audit can be an internal audit (first party, conducted by the organization) or an external audit (second

What does it mean when we say “operations own safety”?

The first element is whether strategic plans and action plans integrate safety into all aspects of an organization’s activities. Are there measurable short, medium, and long-term safety objectives in these plans, and is there regular progress monitoring in implementing the plans? Monitoring progress by the senior management team is vital to good safety leadership. Regular

Authentic leadership and work engagement: The indirect effects of psychological safety and trust in supervisors (Study)

This is a MUST READ for safety leaders.  It is scientific proof that CULTURE MATTERS to safety, and how we establish a culture of safety is with AUTHENTIC LEADERSHIP (w/ empathy) and how this BUILDS TRUST in the organization – most importantly, how this builds trust with the workers who do the dirty and dangerous

Safety is like the Wizard of Oz

Most practicing safety professionals in the USA have seen The Wizard of Oz.  This is an excellent movie, and it reminds me of our journey to achieve a safe workplace.  First … the Ruby Red slippers – many managers today state that “safety is #1”, that “our people are our #1 asset”, or “we do

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