NETWORK
Guidance - Creating Safety Management Systems
Developing and maintaining ways of working to manage safety on the water
Introduction
A safe and welcoming environment for everyone will be at the foundation of creating opportunities for people to thrive on the water.
The RYA recommends affiliates delivering on the water activity have a safety management system. This guidance helps identify what is needed and reflect on where improvements can be made.
Each page of the guidance may include:
- A definition - explaining what each section is
- Steps - things you should do
- Guidance - brief advice to guide you through the section
- Wireframe - a simplified structure or blueprint that you can use to add your own content
- Checklist - to help make sure key issues or advice is not forgotten
- Further resources - more reading, templates or examples
This guidance is not prescriptive, nor exhaustive. It is not a standard to measure yourself against. It provides a framework for organisations reflect on, develop and maintain a safety management system.
This graphic represents elements of a safety management system. There are 10 sections and each has a link at the bottom of this page. Each section is part of a cycle:
- The structure and management of your safety management system
- The culture in your organisation and how you promote safety
- The assurance you seek that your system is working well
Definition
A systematic and proactive approach to managing safety on the water, with structured ways of working woven into the fabric of the organisation and its culture that enable risk-based decision making.