• This document must be read in conjunction with the Guideline 01: The Main Document, which addresses all definitions and standards used in the set of documents and guidelines.

The Safety Management System is defined as a formal framework for integrating safety into daily railway operations, including safety objectives, performance objectives, risk assessment, responsibilities, authorities, rules, procedures, monitoring and evaluation processes, and any matters as stipulated.

• The Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, through the Transport General Authority, is working to enhance and regulate railways through a legislative framework as specified in:

  • Railway Transport Law.

  • Implementing Regulation of the Railway Transport Law.

• The implementing regulations of the Railway Transport Law require that railway service providers, such as franchise holders, licensees, contractors, and railway operators, adhere to the necessary safety arrangements to ensure the safety of the railways and the associated facilities. The law imposes on railway service providers the obligation to "develop a safety and risk management system and maintain their records".

• The general purpose of the Safety Management System is to ensure that railways, as an entity or organization, achieve their business objectives in a safe manner, as managing business in an organized and safe way has significant benefits. This, in turn, adds value by helping to improve overall performance, introduce operational efficiencies, enhance relationships with customers and regulatory bodies, and build a positive safety culture.
  Additionally, for the purpose of safety, adopting a systematic approach helps in identifying hazards as well as the continuous management of risks related to the entity's activities, all of which aims to prevent accidents.

• This evidence applies to all railway systems and other guided transport systems in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia that carry or intend to seek and obtain an operating license to provide railway services and a safety certificate.

• The Transport General Authority works to ensure the safety of railways in the Kingdom reaches the highest levels comparable to the best standards in the world, and to maintain them on this basis. To achieve this, safety management must be continuously improved using the latest and best practices, standards, and international technical developments.

• All service providers and owners of railway activities and entities bear full responsibility for the safety of the railways under their possession, ensuring the implementation of appropriate risk control measures to mitigate and manage risks to the lowest practical extent.

• This also includes institutions, manufacturers, other suppliers, and entities or subcontractors involved in operating railway activities and their maintenance or any critical safety services or activities for railways, where it is always expected that they meet the safety management system requirements of the service provider and those compatible with safety assurance systems, plans, procedures, and processes, reflecting on the operational safety status of the licensee, which is a "live document" that is continuously updated to keep pace with new developments.

• The service provider and/or the owner/manager of the railways must ensure that this approach is reflected in advance in the contract or in the relevant entry permits before entities can access the systems or railway network; they must also ensure the safety of their products and services and the safety of operations.

• Every railway line or manager or owner of the infrastructure or any entities responsible for maintenance should ensure that contractors and other parties have access to its network and implement appropriate risk control measures and comply with the applicable procedures and processes outlined in the safety management system.

• The Authority requires the entity responsible for railway activities to exercise an appropriate level of monitoring and management of contractors at all times.

• These arrangements are essential and form a fundamental part of the safety management system for any railway. The Authority also requests that task holders disclose their contractual arrangements upon request, and the Authority will maintain complete confidentiality when dealing with any commercially sensitive information.