One of the basic features of safety management system is to enable the establishment of a common regulatory framework for railway safety. Harmonization of the contents of the safety rules, safety certification of railway companies, defining the tasks and role of authorities responsible for safety and accident investigation authorities is of great importance for the development of a unique market in rail services.

All who participate in the railway system (rail operators, infrastructure managers, manufacturers, maintenance workshops, wagon owners, suppliers) must bear full responsibility for the safety of the railway system - each for their part. Application of the provisions relating to establishment of safety management systems can be made through the following steps:
· defining the basic elements of safety management systems
· analysis of the organization of traffic safety control in the railway companies
· alignment of traffic safety control with the elements of safety management system
· defining organizational changes
· defining the necessary amendments to related work instructions and technical and technological procedures and rules
· application of defined changes.

Key words: safety management system, traffic safety control, control and improvement, training, risk management, safety policy, information system, investigation body,

Contact: Stjepan Bajzek

Paper: Graduate work: Stjepan Bajzek: Establishment of safety management systems of railway companies in the Republic of Croatia, Faculty of Transport and Traffic sciences, Zagreb, 2008.