SafetyRatios Glossary of Safety Management Terms

Safety culture refers to the collective values, beliefs, and behaviors that shape an organisation's approach to workplace 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 report used to document real-time workplace safety observations— including unsafe acts, unsafe conditions, or any deviation from approved safe work methods.

A Safe Method Variation (SMV) is a structured report used to document real-time workplace safety observations— including unsafe acts, unsafe conditions, or any deviation from approved safe work methods. These reports are a core part of proactive safety management and support compliance with ISO 45001 Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S) systems.

A Planned Task Observation (PTO) is a structured safety assessment used to evaluate whether tasks are being performed in accordance with the approved safe method of work. It helps identify deviations—positive or negative—between planned procedures and how tasks are actually executed on the ground.