Embedding Due Diligence and Risk Governance
A Safety Management System (SMS) provides a structured management framework to ensure that safety performance is not left to chance. By embedding clear responsibilities, objectives, monitoring processes, and governance mechanisms, an SMS drives accountability and strengthens the process safety framework across the organisation.
At Safety Solutions, we design, review, and improve Safety Management Systems that give leaders confidence in both compliance and operational safety. Our approach ensures your SMS not only meets good practice standards but also delivers effective risk governance and demonstrable due diligence.
The structure of an SMS may contain the elements such as:
- Leadership, Organisation and Accountability
- Planning, Objectives and Targets
- Hazard and Risk Management
- Incident Management
- Communication, Consultation and Documentation
- Training, Competency and Workforce Fitness
- Emergency Management
- Contractor Management
- Asset Integrity Management
- Safe Working Systems
- Performance Monitoring
- Change Management
Why Safety Management Systems Matter
Without a robust SMS in place, organisations risk:
- Weak risk management – Inconsistent processes may leave critical risks unmanaged.
- Poor monitoring – Without structured reviews and performance metrics, improvement opportunities are missed.
- Ineffective accountability – Roles and responsibilities for safety are unclear, leading to gaps in ownership.
A well-designed SMS addresses these challenges by creating a closed-loop process that links hazard identification, risk assessment, monitoring, and continuous improvement.
Our SMS Services
We offer end-to-end support to strengthen your Safety Management System, including:
- SMS Framework Development – Building systems aligned good practice frameworks
- Gap Analysis – Benchmarking your current SMS against defined standards and identifying improvement opportunities.
- Procedure Development – Creating clear systems across key elements such as:
- Hazard ID (eg HAZOP, HAZID)
- Risk Assessment ( eg LOPA, Bowtie, Risk Matrices)
- Management of Change (plant, organiszational, and documentation)
- Incident Investigation
- Safe Work Systems (Permit to Work, isolations, LOTO)
- Emergency Response
- Alarm Management (design standards, philosophies, safety requirements specifications)
- Functional Safety (plans, verification, assessments)
- Operational Readiness – Ensuring processes are established before start-up.
- Training & Competence Development – Building workforce capability in SMS principles and application.
- Monitoring & Metrics – Establishing performance indicators to demonstrate due diligence and drive continuous improvement.
The Benefits of a Strong SMS
By engaging Safety Solutions, you can drive Safety Performance through:
- Demonstrating Due Diligence
- Strengthen Risk Governance
- Enhance Compliance
- Drive Continuous Improvement
Partner with Safety Solutions
Proven Expertise – Since 1993, we’ve helped organisations across Australasia design and strengthen Safety Management Systems that balance compliance with practical, real-world application.
Practical Focus – We ensure SMS frameworks are not just documents but living systems that provide measurable assurance, improve decision-making, and embed safety across the lifecycle of operations.
Independent SMS Auditing – We offer audits to benchmark your Safety Management System performance across core elements, identify gaps, and prioritise improvements. Learn more about our SMS Audit service HERE.
Don’t let safety gaps or weak governance undermine your operations. Let’s discuss how we can help you build a resilient Safety Management System that demonstrates due diligence, strengthens risk governance, and supports long-term process safety. CONTACT US TODAY to get started.
Other useful links
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- Process Safety/ Safety Management System Auditing read more
- Process Safety E-Learning read more
- Process Safety Learning Management System read more
- Safety Solutions New Zealand