A Safety Management System (SMS), also known as a Health and Safety Management System or an Occupational Safety Management System, help companies/businesses identify their health and safety risks before they become a problem. 

They are designed to decrease the incidence of injury and illness of workers. Successful implementation of the system requires management commitment to the system, effective allocation of resources, and a high level of employee participation. The scope and complexity of an SMS will vary according to the size and type of workplace.

A SMS is a systematic approach to managing safety, including the necessary organizational structures, accountability, policies, and procedures.  Companies that have developed and implemented an effective SMS can experience an immediate and positive impact on their workplace safety and can increase a company's profit margin in the long-term.

The following elements are the components of a complete Safety Management System (SMS) and are all very much interrelated:

• • Organizational Committment to Health and Safety
• • Responsibilities under OHS Legislation
• • Multiple Employer Environments
• • Health and Safety Management Systems
• • Company Health and Safety Policy
• • Hazard Identification, Assessment and Control
• • Worksite Inspection
• • Harmful Substances and Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHIMIS)
• • Worker Competency and Training
• • Emergency Prepardness and Response Plan
• • First Aid
• • Workplace Violence
• • Working Alone
• • Incident Management and Investigation
• • Program Monitoring and Evaluation

Disclaimer: Gerald Perreault and Carsam Consulting is not a SECOR / COR auditor or Partnership in Injury Reduction Certifying Partner.