Last modified: 22 Jul 2026 13:42
This course provides a comprehensive exploration of Safety Management Systems (SMS), the critical framework for managing safety risks within complex and high-risk organisations. During the course, we will delve into the core components of how effective SMS are designed, implemented, maintained, and evaluated across different operational sectors. The efficacy and limitations of different approaches to SMS will be critically examined, drawing on evidence from prominent case studies and contemporary safety research. This will include discussion of aspects such as the role of proactive and reactive interventions, implementation of appropriate hierarchy of controls, and the importance of safety promotion and workforce participation.
| Study Type | Postgraduate | Level | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term | Second Term | Credit Points | 15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits) |
| Campus | Aberdeen | Sustained Study | No |
| Co-ordinators |
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How will this course be taught? This online course will be delivered primarily through pre-recorded lectures. You will also be provided with real world case studies, learning exercises, and recommended reading (drawn from the latest research and industrial papers).
What does this course cover? This course covers how to design, implement, maintain, and critically evaluate a Safety Management System. You will explore core components like safety policy, risk management strategies, safety culture, and training using case studies and research to analyse real-world effectiveness and ensure organisational resilience.
Why should I take this course? This course will provide you with a holistic understanding of how to build, manage, and continuously improve safety systems within an organisational context, enabling you to translate your theoretical safety knowledge into effective, practical application.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 70 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | 41 | Feedback Weeks | 44 | |
| Feedback |
Projects will be marked using a defined marking rubric, with feedback provided via Turnitin. |
|||
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Apply | Be able to apply learned safety theory to safety management system implementation. |
| Conceptual | Evaluate | Be able to evaluate the efficacy of an integrated safety management system. |
| Factual | Understand | Be able to understand the significance and characteristics of a safety management system within high-risk organisations. |
| Procedural | Create | Be able to design an appropriate safety management system within a given organisational context. |
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 25 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | 38 | Feedback Weeks | ||
| Feedback |
MCQ will be delivered online with automatic marking (1 point for each correct answer). |
|||
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Apply | Be able to apply learned safety theory to safety management system implementation. |
| Factual | Understand | Be able to understand the significance and characteristics of a safety management system within high-risk organisations. |
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 5 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | 30 | Feedback Weeks | ||
| Feedback |
This will be an online interactive discussion board where students will be required to share a post critiquing a safety management system they had encountered during their professional lives. Discussion boards will be marked as pass/fail with online feedback provided. |
|||
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Apply | Be able to apply learned safety theory to safety management system implementation. |
| Conceptual | Evaluate | Be able to evaluate the efficacy of an integrated safety management system. |
| Factual | Understand | Be able to understand the significance and characteristics of a safety management system within high-risk organisations. |
There are no assessments for this course.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 70 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback |
Projects will be marked using a defined marking rubric, with feedback provided via Turnitin. |
|||
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
|
|
||
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 25 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback |
MCQ will be delivered online with automatic marking (1 point for each correct answer). |
|||
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
|
|
||
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 5 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback |
This will be an online interactive discussion board where students will be required to share a post critiquing a safety management system they had encountered during their professional lives. Discussion boards will be marked as pass/fail with online feedback provided. |
|||
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
|
|
||
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Factual | Understand | Be able to understand the significance and characteristics of a safety management system within high-risk organisations. |
| Conceptual | Apply | Be able to apply learned safety theory to safety management system implementation. |
| Conceptual | Evaluate | Be able to evaluate the efficacy of an integrated safety management system. |
| Procedural | Create | Be able to design an appropriate safety management system within a given organisational context. |
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