In the past, railway companies managed safety through compliance with prescriptive rules and regulations. As research progressed during the 1990s, it became clear that it takes more than compliance to ensure safety. What railway companies needed was an organization-wide approach to identify and address risks before an accident happens.
This led to the introduction of safety management systems (SMS). An SMS provides railway companies with a focused approach to building safety throughout an organization and into every aspect of its day-to-day operations.
An SMS does not replace any regulations, rules or standards. It is a system that helps companies better comply with federal legislation and make safety an organization-wide priority.
The basic component includes safety goals, performance targets, risk assessments, responsibilities and authorities, rules and procedures, and monitoring and evaluation processes.
Transport Canada monitors compliance through formal SMS audits and detailed inspections of infrastructure, equipment and operations, and does not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action in cases where non-compliance is found.
