A health and safety management system ( H SMS) is a systematic approach put in place by an employer to minimize the risk of injury and illness. It involves identifying, assessing, and controlling risks to workers in all workplace operations. An effective HSMS is a key component of any business; its scope and complexity will vary acco rding to the type of workplace and the nature of its operations.
For both development and implementation of an HSMS to be successful, effective, and efficient, it needs to be based on a formal structure of defined elements. A successful HSMS includes but is not limited to the following seven elements:
- Management involvement and commitment
- Hazard identification and assessment
- Hazard control
- Training
- Emergency response
- Incident reporting and investigation
- Communications
These seven elements were u se d to organize Enform’s COR Audit Protocol and are elaborated upon within the Safety Program Development course. This guideline will explain why these elements are essential to a successful HSMS.