Seven Principles of an integrated and effective Safety Management System:

 1.   Management Responsibility for Safety -  Line management [Executives, Directors, Managers, and Supervisors] is  directly responsible for the      protection of the public, workers, and  the environment.

2.    Clear Roles and Responsibilities -  Clear and unambiguous lines of authority and responsibility for  ensuring safety are established in writing and maintained at all  organizational levels within the company and its contractors.

3.    Competence Commensurate with Responsibilities -  Personnel possess the experience [proficiency], knowledge, skills, and  abilities that are necessary to discharge their responsibilities.

4.    Balanced Priorities -  Resources are effectively allocated to address safety, programmatic,  and operational considerations. Protecting the workers, the public, and  the environment is a priority whenever activities are planned and  performed.

5.    Identification of Safety Standards and Requirements  - Before work is performed, the associated hazards are evaluated,  understood and an agreed-upon set of safety standards and requirements  are established.  When properly implemented, the standards and  requirements will provide adequate assurance that the workers, the  public, and the environment are protected from adverse consequences.

6.    Hazard Controls Tailored to Work Being Performed - Administrative and engineering controls to manage risk and mitigate hazards are tailored to the work being performed..

7.    Operations Authorization -  The conditions and requirements to be satisfied for operations to be  initiated and conducted are clearly established, agreed upon and  understood.