INTRODUCTION TO SAFETY AND HEALTH MANAGEMENT

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What are the components of a Safety Management System (SMS)?

Safety Management Systems have structure (organization) and are composed of inputs, processes, and outputs.

The "5-P's" of a Safety Management System

 1. Safety Plans

A safety plan is a written statement of how goals and objectives, as stated in the mission/vision statements, are going to be accomplished. Written plans in general describe the strategies and tactics that will be employed. There are three categories of planning:

• Strategic planning addresses long-term goals and objectives (fiscal & legal objectives)
• Operational Planning addresses short-term goals and objectives e.g. waste management (social objectives)
• Contingency planning addresses anticipated, but unwanted changes e.g. emergency drill

2. Safety Programs
Planned series of events. SMS program is to be a "comprehensive, employer-provided, site-specific system to protect worker safety and health." This includes the in-house safety training, facilitator’s trainings, outside trainings.

3. Safety Procedures

A Procedure is a series of steps to accomplish a specific task, job, or project. A series of related tasks or procedures becomes a process. Procedures may also be thought of as tactics because they describe how specific goals and objectives are going to be accomplished. Standard safe operating procedures (SOP's) are a general, stable, written body of safety procedures that guide the organization e.g completing task, identifying hazard

4. Safety Processes

A Process is a actually a number of procedures, each working together to achieve a result. Think of a process as a series of interrelated work tasks or jobs, initiated by one or more requirements that achieves a specific result for the customer. Usually the completion of one task flows into or initiates the beginning of the next.

5. Safety Policies

A safety policy may be mandatory (a rule) or voluntary (a guideline). It is a predetermined (usually written) statement that provides direction in decision making. It reflects top management goals and objectives related to the safety function within the company. An effective safety policy is both educational and directive. It informs everyone about expected safety behaviors and standards and why they are important. It also assigns responsibility to perform certain duties or oversee people and programs.

 
A copy of safety policy was given out to all staff in attendance.