About This Course
Workplace safety failures cost organisations dearly — in lives, productivity, reputation, and regulatory penalties. Yet many organisations still operate with fragmented safety procedures rather than a coherent, standards-aligned Safety Management System. A well-designed SMS transforms safety from a compliance checkbox into a strategic operational asset, embedding systematic hazard control, clear accountability, and a proactive safety culture at every level of the organisation.
This TrainingComplex programme — Developing and Implementing a Safety Management System — provides a structured, practical pathway for safety officers, operations managers, HR practitioners, and organisational leaders to move from intent to action. Drawing on the ISO 45001:2018 framework, ILO-OSH guidelines, and sector-specific case studies, the course walks participants through every phase of SMS development: establishing policy and leadership commitment, conducting risk assessments, designing controls, building competency frameworks, and establishing performance measurement and audit cycles.
Beyond technical design, the programme addresses the human factors that determine whether an SMS succeeds or fails. Participants explore how to secure leadership buy-in, engage frontline workers, manage change, and nurture a culture where safety is everyone's responsibility. Group exercises, real-world scenario analysis, and a practical implementation planning workshop ensure that participants leave not just with knowledge, but with a concrete, context-specific action plan ready to deploy.
Whether your organisation is building its first formal SMS or seeking to strengthen and certify an existing system, this course provides the frameworks, tools, and confidence to deliver measurable, lasting safety improvements.
Who Should Attend
- Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) Officers and Managers
- Operations and Production Managers responsible for workplace safety
- Quality, Risk, and Compliance Professionals
- Human Resources Managers involved in workforce safety and wellbeing
- Site Supervisors and Team Leaders with safety responsibilities
- Internal Auditors seeking SMS-specific competence
- Organisational Development Practitioners supporting safety culture initiatives
- Consultants advising clients on safety systems and ISO 45001 certification
Learning Objectives
- Explain the structure, purpose, and key requirements of an effective Safety Management System aligned with ISO 45001:2018
- Conduct systematic hazard identification and workplace risk assessments using proven methodologies
- Develop a comprehensive organisational safety policy and supporting objectives
- Design and document SMS controls, procedures, and safe work practices appropriate to the organisation's risk profile
- Establish roles, responsibilities, and accountabilities within the SMS structure
- Build a competency and training framework that supports SMS implementation at all levels
- Apply incident investigation techniques, including root cause analysis, to drive continual improvement
- Design an internal SMS audit programme and conduct effective safety audits
- Measure and monitor SMS performance using leading and lagging indicators
- Prepare an organisation-specific SMS implementation roadmap with clear milestones and ownership
Course Modules
Module 1: Foundations of Safety Management Systems
- Definition and purpose of a Safety Management System
- Evolution from compliance-based to systems-based safety management
- Key international frameworks: ISO 45001, ILO-OSH 2001, and OHSAS 18001 legacy
- The Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle as the SMS operating model
- Business case for SMS: costs of poor safety versus returns on investment
- Overview of SMS implementation journey and course roadmap
Module 2: ISO 45001:2018 Requirements in Depth
- Structure of ISO 45001 and the High-Level Structure (Annex SL)
- Context of the organisation: internal and external issues, interested parties
- Leadership and worker participation requirements under the standard
- Planning: actions to address risks and opportunities
- Support, operation, performance evaluation, and improvement clauses
- Conducting an ISO 45001 gap analysis against your current system
Module 3: Safety Policy, Objectives, and Leadership Commitment
- Developing a meaningful occupational health and safety policy
- Aligning safety objectives with organisational strategy and risk profile
- Defining roles, responsibilities, authorities, and accountabilities
- Securing visible top management commitment and active sponsorship
- Integrating safety governance into existing management structures
- Communicating safety policy effectively across the organisation
Module 4: Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment
- Systematic hazard identification methodologies: HIRA, job safety analysis, HAZOP
- Classifying hazards: physical, chemical, biological, ergonomic, and psychosocial
- Risk assessment techniques: likelihood-consequence matrices and risk scoring
- Bow-tie analysis for visualising barriers and escalation factors
- Hierarchy of controls: elimination through to administrative controls and PPE
- Documenting risk registers and maintaining their currency
Module 5: Legal and Regulatory Compliance Management
- Mapping applicable national and international occupational safety legislation
- Establishing a legal register and compliance monitoring process
- Understanding duty of care, employer obligations, and worker rights
- Managing compliance across multi-site and contractor environments
- Navigating regulatory inspections and responding to enforcement actions
- Integrating compliance requirements into SMS documentation and controls
Module 6: SMS Documentation, Procedures, and Controls
- Principles of effective SMS documentation architecture
- Developing safe work procedures, permits-to-work, and method statements
- Document control: version management, access, review cycles
- Operational controls for high-risk activities and non-routine tasks
- Management of change: assessing safety impacts before implementing change
- Building a practical, user-friendly documentation system that workers will use
Module 7: Competency, Training, and Safety Communication
- Conducting a safety training needs analysis linked to the risk register
- Designing a tiered safety competency framework for all roles
- Delivering effective safety inductions, toolbox talks, and refresher training
- Evaluating training effectiveness and tracking competency records
- Internal safety communication strategies: channels, messaging, and frequency
- Engaging frontline workers as active participants in the SMS
Module 8: Incident Investigation and Root Cause Analysis
- Classifying incidents: near misses, first-aid, lost-time injuries, and fatalities
- Establishing an incident reporting culture and removing barriers to reporting
- Step-by-step incident investigation process and evidence collection
- Root cause analysis tools: 5-Whys, fishbone diagrams, and fault tree analysis
- Developing effective corrective and preventive actions (CAPAs)
- Learning from incidents: sharing lessons and tracking closure of actions
Module 9: SMS Auditing and Performance Measurement
- Distinction between leading and lagging safety performance indicators
- Selecting and tracking meaningful KPIs for SMS health and effectiveness
- Designing an internal SMS audit programme: scope, frequency, and criteria
- Planning and conducting an internal safety audit: methods and evidence gathering
- Writing audit findings, nonconformities, and improvement recommendations
- Management review of SMS performance: inputs, outputs, and decision-making
Module 10: Safety Culture, Continual Improvement, and Implementation Planning
- Understanding and measuring safety culture maturity using the Bradley Curve
- Strategies for shifting safety culture from reactive to generative
- Behavioural safety approaches: observation programmes and feedback loops
- Planning for continual improvement cycles within the SMS framework
- Preparing for external ISO 45001 certification audits
- Developing a personal SMS implementation roadmap: priorities, milestones, and stakeholder engagement
Requirements & Prerequisites
Participants should have at least one to two years of experience in a safety, operations, quality, or management role with some exposure to workplace health and safety responsibilities. A basic familiarity with occupational health and safety concepts — such as hazard identification or incident reporting — is recommended. Prior knowledge of ISO standards is helpful but not required, as the programme introduces the ISO 45001 framework from the ground up.
Training Methodology
- Structured walkthroughs of the ISO 45001:2018 clauses with annotated gap-analysis exercises applied to participants' own organisations
- Facilitated hazard identification and risk assessment workshops using HIRA templates and bow-tie analysis on realistic workplace scenarios
- Case study reviews of real-world SMS successes and failures across manufacturing, construction, oil and gas, and public sector contexts
- Small-group drafting sessions where participants develop actual SMS policy statements, procedure outlines, and competency matrices
- Incident investigation role-plays using root cause analysis tools including the 5-Whys and fishbone (Ishikawa) diagrams
- Internal SMS audit simulation: participants plan, conduct, and report findings from a mock safety audit of a case-study organisation
- Leadership engagement workshop exploring how to present the safety business case and secure executive sponsorship
- Individual SMS implementation planning session culminating in each participant producing a prioritised, time-bound action roadmap for their organisation
Organisational Benefits
- Reduced workplace incidents, injuries, and associated costs through systematic hazard control
- Demonstrable progress towards ISO 45001 certification, strengthening organisational credibility
- Improved regulatory compliance and reduced exposure to legal penalties and enforcement actions
- Stronger safety culture across all levels, reducing human error and unsafe behaviours
- Clearer roles and accountability structures for safety management, reducing gaps and overlaps
- Enhanced ability to attract and retain talent in organisations known for safety excellence
- More efficient use of safety resources through risk-prioritised, evidence-based decision-making
- Improved stakeholder and investor confidence through visible, structured safety governance
Where Is Developing and Implementing a Safety Management System Training Offered?
This course runs in-person across: Nairobi, Dubai, Zanzibar, Abuja, Nakuru, Cape Town, Mombasa, Kigali, Naivasha, Riyadh, Kampala, Lagos, Johannesburg, Pretoria, Accra, Kisumu, Arusha, Dar es Salaam, Addis Ababa, plus Live Virtual (online) cohorts. Browse live dates for your city below.
Upcoming Schedules
| Location | Format | Dates | Price |
|---|
| Nairobi, Kenya |
In-Person |
5 Oct 2026 – 9 Oct 2026 |
KES 105,000 |
| Dubai, United Arab Emirates |
In-Person |
5 Oct 2026 – 9 Oct 2026 |
USD 4,100 |
| Zanzibar, Tanzania |
In-Person |
5 Oct 2026 – 9 Oct 2026 |
USD 2,500 |
| Abuja, Nigeria |
In-Person |
12 Oct 2026 – 16 Oct 2026 |
USD 2,800 |
| Nakuru, Kenya |
In-Person |
12 Oct 2026 – 16 Oct 2026 |
KES 115,000 |
| Cape Town, South Africa |
In-Person |
19 Oct 2026 – 23 Oct 2026 |
USD 3,800 |
| Mombasa, Kenya |
In-Person |
19 Oct 2026 – 23 Oct 2026 |
KES 120,000 |
| Kigali, Rwanda |
In-Person |
19 Oct 2026 – 23 Oct 2026 |
USD 1,900 |
| Naivasha, Kenya |
In-Person |
19 Oct 2026 – 23 Oct 2026 |
KES 115,000 |
| Riyadh, Saudi Arabia |
In-Person |
19 Oct 2026 – 23 Oct 2026 |
USD 4,500 |
| Kampala, Uganda |
In-Person |
19 Oct 2026 – 23 Oct 2026 |
USD 1,900 |
| Lagos, Nigeria |
In-Person |
19 Oct 2026 – 23 Oct 2026 |
USD 2,500 |
| Johannesburg, South Africa |
In-Person |
19 Oct 2026 – 23 Oct 2026 |
USD 3,500 |
| Pretoria, South Africa |
In-Person |
26 Oct 2026 – 30 Oct 2026 |
USD 3,300 |
| Live Virtual |
Online |
26 Oct 2026 – 30 Oct 2026 |
KES 80,000 |
+236 more dates — view live schedule →
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need prior ISO 45001 knowledge to attend this course?
No prior ISO 45001 knowledge is required. The programme introduces the standard from the ground up and guides participants through its requirements in a practical, accessible way. A basic background in workplace safety or operations management is sufficient preparation.
Will I receive a certificate upon completing the course?
Yes. Participants who attend the full five days and complete the implementation planning workshop receive a TrainingComplex Certificate of Completion in Developing and Implementing a Safety Management System. This certificate is suitable for inclusion in professional development portfolios and CPD records.
Is this course aligned with ISO 45001:2018 certification requirements?
The course is structured around the ISO 45001:2018 standard and covers all its key clauses in depth, including gap analysis and internal audit skills. While it does not itself confer ISO 45001 certification (which is an organisational accreditation), it equips participants with the knowledge and tools to lead their organisation through the certification process.
Can teams from the same organisation attend together?
Absolutely — and this is strongly encouraged. When multiple team members from the same organisation attend together, they can collaborate on organisation-specific exercises, build a shared SMS vocabulary, and leave with a jointly owned implementation roadmap, accelerating real-world impact.
What materials and tools will participants receive?
Participants receive a comprehensive digital workbook covering all ten modules, a suite of SMS templates including a gap analysis checklist, risk register, legal register, audit plan, and incident investigation form, as well as a curated reference guide to ISO 45001 and related standards. All materials are formatted for immediate use in the workplace.
