SafetyRatios Glossary of Safety Management Terms

Safety culture is an emergent property arising from the complex interaction of deeply held principles, shared assumptions, prevailing predispositions, and consistent actions that charaterise how a team, group, or organisation approaches safety. It is defined by four key elements:

• Principles: The core values that define the organization’s commitment to safety.
• Assumptions: Underlying beliefs about safety that influence decision-making.
• Predispositions: The attitudes and perceptions that shape safety practices.
• Actions: The visible behaviors and decisions that demonstrate safety priorities.

A Confined Space is an area that is partially or fully enclosed and poses risks such as fire, explosion, loss of consciousness, asphyxiation, or drowning.

A Designated Confined Space is a work area specifically identified for enhanced hazard control measures.

A Safety Observation Report (SOR) is a structured tool used to document real-time safety observations in the workplace — including unsafe acts, unsafe conditions, or any deviation from approved safe work methods. These reports support proactive risk identification and continuous safety improvement.

A Safe Method Variation (SMV) is a formal record used to capture any deviation from approved safe work methods, whether planned or observed in real-time. It plays a key role in proactive safety management and supports compliance with ISO 45001 Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S) systems.

A Planned Task Observation (PTO) is a structured safety check that evaluates whether tasks are being carried out according to the approved safe work method. It highlights positive and negative deviations between what was planned and what’s happening in the field, helping reinforce compliance and improve practices.

A Feedback Loop is a system-based mechanism in which the outcomes of a process are reintegrated as input for future cycles. In the context of safety and organisational management, feedback loops help systems adapt and improve based on real-world results, enabling resilience and continuous improvement.

An Influence Diagram is a visual modelling tool used to map relationships between decisions, uncertainties, and outcomes within a system. It simplifies complex planning by showing how various factors interact—especially useful in risk assessment, stakeholder strategy, and operational planning.

The IPO Analysis is a systems-thinking framework used to break down processes into three stages—Inputs, Processes, and Outputs. Common across industries, it's used in safety management to improve design, clarify workflows, and guide more informed decisions.

The MOVER Framework is a structured, iterative approach to stakeholder analysis tailored for ISO 45001-compliant Occupational Health & Safety systems. It supports intentional engagement through data-driven insights, helping organisations meet stakeholder needs while strengthening system performance.

An Onion Diagram is a visual stakeholder mapping tool that uses concentric layers to show how internal and external entities interact with the core of a system, project, or organisation. It helps model relationships, influence levels, and dependencies across operational dimensions.

PESTLE Analysis is a structured strategic tool used to evaluate external macro-environmental factors that influence an organisation’s operations, compliance, and decision-making. It breaks down analysis into six key areas: Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Legal, and Environmental.

The Power-Interest Matrix is a stakeholder analysis tool used to categorise parties based on their level of power (influence) and interest (concern or involvement) in a project, process, or system. It supports targeted engagement and helps streamline communication strategies in safety and organisational planning.

An RACI Matrix is a role-clarification tool used to define and document responsibilities across tasks, projects, or systems. It maps out who is Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, and Informed for each activity. In safety-critical environments, especially those aligned with ISO 45001 Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S), the RACI Matrix ensures that duties are well-defined and that all stakeholders understand their roles in managing workplace risk.

A Safety Management Software (SMS) refers to digital platforms designed to streamline and enhance occupational health and safety management. These systems support a range of core functions including incident tracking, hazard identification, risk assessments, document control, safety training, and compliance monitoring.

A Stakeholder Mapping is a structured approach used to identify, categorise, and prioritise stakeholders based on their level of influence, interest, power, and potential impact on a project, operation, or management system. It helps organisations manage relationships, anticipate resistance, and design effective engagement strategies aligned with compliance and performance goals.

A SWOT Analysis is a strategic planning tool used to evaluate an organisation's internal capabilities and external environment. The acronym stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats. It provides a structured way to assess performance, stakeholder positioning, and risk exposure—especially in the context of ISO 45001 Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S) management systems.