10 AUGUST 2017 • FOGHORN FOGHORNFOCUS: SAFETY T oday, many vessel owners and operators are placing additional emphasis and resources towards safety. The safety of employees, passengers and vessels are critical to long-term business success, no matter what size operation. The development and implementation of a Safety Management System (SMS) can be a major undertaking that can take many months of work, plus the additional expense. However, the long term returns and results will minimize loss and risk, improve morale and job efficiency, ultimately proving to be a fiscally rewarding decision. The Passenger Vessel Association’s Safety Management System, Flagship, is a great resource now available to its members. PVA Flagship will be the right fit for many operators, providing them with a well- designed system developed by great member and team resources. Safety Management Systems are not a new concept, but rather a proven model for safety success. Many organizations may already use or may be familiar with ISM, ISO 45001:2016 or other management type systems. No matter the SMS choice, the success of the system begins and ends with the support and buy-in from crew and management levels throughout the organization. “Keep it simple, sailor” (or other salty variations) is a familiar phrase that most people have heard throughout their lives, either personally or professionally, as guidance on how not to overthink some things in life. Historically, the United States Navy receives credit for introduc- ing the K.I.S.S. principle in the early 1960s to simplify their training of midshipmen. This article will build off the success of our proud Navy and provide a roadmap using that same K.I.S.S. methodology to effec- tively and quickly introduce your Safety Management System (SMS) into your operations. K.I.S.S.: A Roadmap to Effectively Introduce a Safety Management System (SMS) By Richard J. Paine, Jr., Regional Director, HSSQE Hornblower K:Keep employees engaged from the beginning. Schedule a Review Meeting with Supervisors/ Managers/Captains: The biggest factor that will determine how your safety management system is received resides in how your supervisors, managers and captains view the program. Prior to formally introducing the SMS throughout the operation, designate a time to discuss the details of your safety management system, especially with those who have not been involved directly in the stages of development. Owners and operators should be prepared to present and answer questions related to manuals, reports, operating procedures and other areas of the system. The focal point of this meeting is to discuss openly the decision and long term success plan for introducing a safety management system into the operation. This is also a great time to receive constructive feedback from those in supervisory roles. Be sure to highlight how this system will reduce injuries, incidents and make the workplace safer and more efficient by identifying and correcting job hazards, learning from mistakes and empower- ing everyone with a “safety always” mentality. Throughout the implementation process your management team will be the voice and the am-