A great resource to help develop a Safety Management System (SMS) is DOE’s Integrated Safety Management System. They offer dozens of documents explaining each element and how it is intended to function within the SMS. DOE has been using this SMS since 1996 with world-class results. I love the structure and have used aspects of their model for decades. The one drawback is that DOE can be a tad bureaucratic, and some materials can become burdensome on a lean private business. The seven guiding principles of this SMS should be core to any SMS, of course, the devil is in the details and how well senior leadership embraces this approach to OSH. Here are their seven (7) guiding principles:
-
Line Management Responsibility for Safety – Line management is directly responsible for protecting the workers, the public, and the environment.
-
Clear Roles and Responsibilities – Clear and unambiguous lines of authority and responsibility for ensuring safety are established and maintained at all organizational levels within the department and its contractors.
-
Competence Commensurate with Responsibilities – Personnel possess the experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to discharge their responsibilities.
-
Balanced Priorities – Resources are effectively allocated to address safety, programmatic, and operational considerations. Protecting the workers, the public, and the environment is a priority whenever activities are planned and performed.
-
Identification of Safety Standards and Requirements – Before work is performed, the associated hazards are evaluated, and an agreed-upon set of safety standards and requirements is established, which, if properly implemented, will provide adequate assurance that the workers, the public, and the environment are protected from adverse consequences.
-
Hazard Controls Tailored to Work Being Performed – Administrative and engineering controls to prevent and mitigate hazards are tailored to the work being performed and associated hazards.
-
Operations Authorization – The conditions and requirements to be satisfied for operations to be initiated and conducted are clearly established and agreed upon.
These seven guiding principles support the five (5) core functions of the SMS:
- Define the Scope of Work – Missions are translated into work, expectations are set, tasks are identified and prioritized, and resources are allocated.
- Analyze the Hazards – Hazards associated with the work are identified, analyzed, and categorized.
- Develop and Implement Hazard Controls – Applicable standards and requirements are identified and agreed upon, controls to prevent/mitigate hazards are identified, the safety envelope is established, and controls are implemented.
- Perform Work within Controls – Readiness is confirmed, and work is performed safely.
- Provide Feedback and Continuous Improvement – Feedback information on the adequacy of controls is gathered; opportunities for improving the definition and planning of work are identified and implemented.
Source: https://www.energy.gov/ehss/integrated-safety-management-ism
