Soft Systems Methodology in identifying and eliminating occupational safety hazards

Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) and occupational safety and health (OSH) are areas of human knowledge and interest that are important to, but relatively independent of, each other. SSM uses the idea of systems to find solutions to complex, poorly defined, so-called soft problems that we face in work environments. The aim of this article was to identify the potential for using systems thinking and SSM methodology in the area of identifying and solving complex health and safety problems. The method used was a semi-systematic literature review aimed at identifying selected determinants of the use of SSM in activities to improve OSH. It was pointed out how important it is for the effectiveness of OSH undertakings to be able to use SSM and systems thinking as a structured and systematic approach to analysing and eliminating occupational safety and health hazards present in the working environment.