o many times we see “safety” activity done in the name of maintaining accreditation to a safety management system. The “System” is the end not the tool anymore. Clients tell me “but we need to do it for our auditor”. The tail wagging the dog I think. Ask yourself how much of your “system” ends up on the front line, or actually impacts operational safety. So many small businesses are locked out from providing services simply because they don’t have the staff and resources to manage a “system” not because they don’t manage safety. Using a documented system as proof of operational safety? Where is evidence that these two things even correlate? I suggest the research tells us otherwise. Systematic safety – no problem, safety management systems, not so much.
Your thoughts?
Sue