T9-16 - Seveso II directive—How to comply to the Safety Management System requirements in Small and Medium size Enterprises?

Abstract

The Seveso II directive (Ref 1) compels enterprises that store and/or handle large quantities of hazardous materials to implement a Safety Management System (SMS). Many of the enterprises that have to comply with the Seveso II directive are large and multinational enterprises. These (multinational) enterprises usually have some kind of formal SMS in place either integrated in a quality management system or environmental management system. They may have tailor-made management systems to manage loss prevention and/or safety. The situation for small and medium size enterprises differs in most cases. In general, their effort in improving safety is authority driven and usually there has not been a (formal) need to establish an SMS in the past. Therefore, the typical small company might not yet have an SMS and the management of a small company is often reluctant to implement an SMS. This is because they envisage a large, formal, and paperwork oriented SMS as required when implementing known management systems. Traditional, formal, and paperwork oriented SMS's were based on the management structure of multinational enterprises. Management theory learns that these management systems are not necessarily applicable to small and medium size enterprises, explaining some of the resistance of these enterprises when trying to impose a large and paperwork oriented SMS. In addition, it has been found that it is possible to develop fit for purpose management systems fully adhering to the Seveso II directive for several small and medium size enterprises.