Safety management systems (SMS)

HSE sees safety management systems (SMS) as crucial mechanisms in the delivery of safety. We apply human and organisational techniques to the elements of the SMS to assess effectiveness and determine areas for improvement.

Important SMS elements are:

• work control, ie permit to work (PTW)
• supervision
• competence
• effective safety leadership.

• Leadership for the major hazard industries [PDF 440KB]
  (INDG277) Designed to help industry leaders further improve the health and safety performance of all major hazard industries, both on and offshore.

• Organisational change and major accident hazards [PDF 45KB]
  (Chemical Information Sheet No CHIS7) guidance for employers responsible for major hazards on how to manage the impact of organisational change on their control of the hazards.