Assessing the efficacy of your safety objectives is paramount.

When evaluating your Safety Management System (SMS), it’s crucial to scrutinize all its components to ensure their continued relevance and applicability. This entails delineating a systematic approach for reviewing each facet of your SMS manual, encompassing:

• Safety policy and objectives
• Safety risk management
• Safety assurance
• Safety promotion

Adhering to the S.M.A.R.T principle facilitates an effective evaluation of safety objectives. Set objectives that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-bound. This approach enables identification and enhancement of areas where the SMS might lack effectiveness.

For smaller organizations, conducting an annual review of the SMS is advisable to:

• Ensure alignment with core safety objectives
• Monitor safety performance vis-à-vis objectives
• Address identified hazards promptly and suitably

Small organizations can sustain a focus on improvement by networking with peers and exchanging successful strategies and insights.

In contrast, larger organizations typically employ a safety committee to conduct formal periodic reviews. These reviews may encompass:

• Assessment of management of change activities
• Evaluation of safety training effectiveness
• Inspection of facilities, equipment, documentation, and procedures through audits and surveys
• Ongoing monitoring of safety culture change or maturity level

Key considerations for enhancing and maintaining your SMS encompass:

• Establishment of an SMS comprising policies, rules, directives, and standard operating procedures (SOPs)
• Continuous revision of processes by management to adapt to changing needs, operational environments, or standards
• Implementation of measures to ensure compliance with SOPs, employing a blend of discipline and human resource development strategies
• Regular formal management reviews of the SMS
• High-level reviews of SMS processes by the safety committee
• Validation of the SMS through safety reviews, affirming adherence to processes and attainment of organizational safety objectives and targets

Leveraging tools like the SMS Evaluation Tool and Guidance Form 1591 can provide a structured pathway for evolving your SMS as safety management practices mature.