Designing a New Safety Management System

The company decided to leverage its internal best practices, and the results of its external benchmarking to capitalize on its existing successful programs yet build attributes toward a more proactive SMS and safety culture. They focused on the following actions  

Commitment The company was already committed and everyone knew it. What they had to do was to build on this goodwill and use it as a platform to promulgate their new SMS. 

Policies and procedures Needed to be clearly segregated and roles and responsibilities clearly articulated. Corporate documentation was redesigned to more appropriately communicate safety policies and give guidance on how to design safety procedures at the local level to meet corporate requirements. 

Communications Informal networks were strengthened, and new communications channels were created at all organizational levels. 

Safety culture Because it is a high-hazard industry, safety culture was already good, but the corporate office wanted to improve it and make it sustainable. Awareness programs were expanded and factory-level staff was invited to corporate headquarters to brief senior leaders on how to improve safety culture worldwide. 

---