# Safety Management System (SMS)

*Last updated: 2026-06-26*

> Freight forwarders, carriers, and logistics operators deploy a Safety Management System (SMS) to prevent workplace accidents, asset damage, and hazardous situations through structured, repeatable processes.

Freight forwarders, carriers, and logistics operators deploy a Safety Management System (SMS) to prevent workplace accidents, asset damage, and hazardous situations through structured, repeatable processes. An SMS is not a single tool but an integrated governance framework: written safety policies, defined roles and accountabilities, standardised operating procedures, staff training, and scheduled audits all work in concert. Risk assessments form the foundation – they drive safety objectives that are set, monitored, and revised on an ongoing basis. In day-to-day forwarding practice, an SMS is often a prerequisite for industry certifications, regulatory approvals, or tender eligibility. It should not be confused with a Quality Management System: both share methodological principles, but the SMS is specifically focused on occupational and operational safety.

**Source:** [https://www.icao.int/Safety/SafetyManagement/Pages/default.aspx](https://www.icao.int/Safety/SafetyManagement/Pages/default.aspx)

## Quick Facts

| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Term | Safety Management System (SMS) |
| Language | EN |
| Word count | 119 |
| Last updated | 2026-06-26 |
| Source | https://www.icao.int/Safety/SafetyManagement/Pages/default.aspx |

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