Safety Risk Management: Proactive Hazard Control in Safety Management Systems (SMS)
Knowledge / July 29, 2025
What is Safety Risk Management?
Safety Risk Management (SRM) is the structured process of identifying, analyzing, and mitigating risks to maintain acceptable safety levels across an organization’s operations. SRM marks a vital evolution from reactive safety approaches to proactive risk identification and control.
The FAA defines Safety Risk Management as “a process within the Safety Management System composed of describing the system, identifying the hazards, and analyzing, assessing, and controlling the risk.” This systematic approach requires organizations to first understand their operational systems, identify conditions that could foreseeably cause or contribute to accidents or incidents, analyze the potential consequences, assess whether risks are acceptable, and implement appropriate controls when needed.
EASA describes Safety Risk Management as part of a comprehensive process that involves the identification and assessment of safety issues, development of mitigation actions and measurement of their effectiveness to provide a positive feedback loop with the aim of reducing the systemic and operational safety risks present in the European Aviation System.
How to Implement and Support Safety Risk Management
Effectively implementing SRM requires clear processes, empowered teams, and data-driven decision-making. Below are four key strategies:
Establish Clear Risk Criteria and Tolerance Levels
- Define risk tolerance levels for different operational areas
- Apply criteria consistently across departments
- Regularly review and update risk criteria based on evolving operations and changing industry standards
Implement Comprehensive Data Analysis
- Collect safety data from incident reports, maintenance logs, flight data monitoring, and other operational sources
- Leverage AI-assisted analysis and statistical methods to identify emerging risks and integrate multiple data sources for a complete risk picture
- Establish leading indicators to detect risks early, before they manifest as incidents
Embed Risk Management in Operations and Continuous Improvement
- Incorporate SRM into operational planning, change management, and resource allocation
- Train staff to identify and report hazards proactively with
- Define clear escalation procedures for significant risks
- Regularly assess the effectiveness of implemented risk controls and update risk assessments based on operational experience
”Safety Risk Management is a process within the Safety Management System composed of describing the system, identifying the hazards, and analyzing, assessing, and controlling the risk.”
How Can iQSMS Help?
The iQSMS Risk Management Module offers a comprehensive solution for proactive risk management through its powerful Risk+ functionality, which streamlines the entire risk management process from assessment to control implementation. Key features are:
- Proactive Risk+ assessments: Perform comprehensive risk evaluations before incidents occur
- Safety controls tailored to operational environment: Establish mitigation measures specific to your organization’s needs
- Centralized Risk+ register: Maintain a unified view of your complete risk landscape
- Overview of the effectiveness of safety controls: Monitor how well your controls are performing and update them when needed
- Change Management: Evaluate safety implications of procedural, equipment, or organizational changes before implementation. Learn more about navigating change with iQSMS Risk+
Risk+ links proactive assessments with real-world safety and hazard reports from the iQSMS Reporting Module to validate risk predictions.
Enhanced analytical capabilities are also available through the Ai Co-Analyst by Beams AI in the iQSMS Reporting Module, which identifies risks and hazards that might be overlooked through traditional analysis methods. This AI-powered insight provides organizations with an even more comprehensive understanding of their risk profile and emerging safety trends.
Safety Risk Management provides the analytical foundation for the remaining SMS components: Safety Assurance monitors the effectiveness of risk controls, while Safety Promotion ensures personnel understand and support risk management efforts throughout the organization.
Take Control of Risk with iQSMS Risk Management
Ready to elevate your organization’s safety strategy with proactive risk management?
Contact us today to discover how the iQSMS Risk Management Module and Risk+ functionality can transform your approach to hazard identification, risk mitigation, and change management.
We’d love to stay connected.
You may also like:
Ready to find out more?
Get in touch with us for your individual solution!