is a form of quality assurance based on periodic internal audits and clear individual RCA accountability for safety outcomes. A safety management system documents all standards, practices and procedures to promote and maintain safety, and the responsibilities of staff for implementing these standards, practices and procedures. A safety management system would cover the planning, design and construction of new works and the operation and maintenance of the existing network. Specifically, safety management systems will: Set out traffic management and road engineering standards, guidelines and manuals, codes of practice, and the expertise and procedures for providing a safe road network. Provide for regular internal audits by approved persons to ensure compliance with the safety management system. Set out the management structure responsible for implementing and maintaining the safety management system. Include a road safety strategy to identify safety problems and recommend solutions. The process for a Safety Management System is displayed in Appendix 7.

The systematic way in which an organization approaches safety; typically, it includes strategies detailing how this will be achieved; the role of all individuals in respect to safety; the method used to measure and record the level of safety in the organization; the tools available to monitor on-going safety levels and safety issues; and the procedures implemented and lessons disseminated as a result of the previous two stages.

a businesslike approach to safety

a set of beliefs, practices and procedures for monitoring and improving safety in your organization

a tool that Health, Safety and Environment professionals use to minimise adverse effects of activities and operations on people and the environment