Safety management system: From industrial practice to healthcare facilities

The history of the chemical industry has been marked by several accidents, resulting in severe loss of life, environmental damage and financial losses. Society and the government began to demand that industries invest in technologies that would prevent new tragedies. However, it soon became clear that accidents were not only linked to the technology used, but also to human error. Understanding human behavior began to be valued. Although industries were safer, accidents continued to occur, now due to management failures. The creation of a management system became necessary. Today, safety management systems are present in sectors as diverse as the chemical industry, mining and civil aviation, with effective improvements in safety. Similar benefits could be obtained in health units. A management system such as that used by the chemical industry can be divided into four areas: “commitment to safety”, “identification of hazards and risks”, “risk management” and “learning from experience”. The first seeks to promote commitment and a culture of safety, as well as to ensure compliance with the relevant legislation and standards. The management system merely complements the national legal and regulatory framework. The identification of accident scenarios, hazards and existing risks is the focus of the second field. The third field deals with the operationalization of the management system in the organization's day-to-day activities, whether through procedures, contractor management, change management, etc. Finally, the last field measures the evolution of safety and promotes the investigation of incidents and accidents. Management systems are tools that can be adapted to the needs of each sector. When implemented properly, they generate significant organizational benefits, reducing operational risk.