Safety Management Systems in High-Risk Sectors: Comparative Analysis and Policy Implications
Keywords:
Safety Management Systems, Risk Mitigation, Industry Comparison, Operational Safety, Human Factors, Safety Culture, Regulatory ComplianceAbstract
Safety Management Systems (SMS) have emerged as essential tools for managing risk and improving operational safety across high-risk industries such as aviation, construction, oil and gas, and healthcare. This narrative review aims to evaluate how SMS are integrated and how effective they are in each sector. Using a structured literature search across Scopus, PubMed, and Google Scholar, studies were selected based on relevance, peer-review status, and sectoral applicability. The review analyzes qualitative and quantitative evidence from case studies, organizational reports, and empirical research across the targeted industries. Findings reveal that sectors with centralized operations and international regulatory oversight, such as aviation and healthcare, experience greater success in SMS implementation, particularly in incident reporting and risk mitigation. In contrast, construction and oil and gas sectors encounter significant barriers, including fragmented project structures, human error prevalence, and limited stakeholder coordination. Systemic factors such as leadership commitment, safety culture, workforce training, and technology integration critically influence the success of SMS across all sectors. The study underscores the need for policy reforms and sector-specific strategies that encourage safety innovation, adaptability, and workforce participation. Future research is recommended to explore underreported failures and apply interdisciplinary frameworks that integrate behavioral insights. Enhancing SMS across sectors is vital to creating resilient, safe, and responsive operational environments in a rapidly evolving industrial landscape.
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