Safety Systems
Practical Improvements for Stagnant Safety Management Systems
GJ
Glenn Jones
Applied Latitude Consulting
The Paper Safety Trap
Many Safety Management Systems (SMS) grow organically over years, becoming bloated bureaucracies that serve auditors rather than operators. When procedures become too complex, the workforce invents workarounds, creating a shadow system of 'how things are actually done.'Practical Action
Conduct a 'work-as-imagined' versus 'work-as-done' audit on a core process. Sit with the operators and map exactly how they execute the task. Reconcile the SMS to match safe, efficient field reality, rather than forcing the field to match a theoretical manual.Disclaimer: This article is provided for general information purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Approaches should be adapted to your specific regulatory and operational context.
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