SMS Pro Aviation Safety Software Blog 4 Airlines & Airports

What Are Leading Indicators in Aviation SMS?

Leading indicators is a current hot topic in safety programs.

I’ve noticed a that there also seems to be differing and even conflicting information about exactly what are leading indicators in aviation safety management systems (SMS).

I’ve seen lagging indicators equated with

1. predictive risk management,
2. root causes, and
3. – most commonly – leading indicator examples. 

Aviation Safety Promotion Activities Don't Have to Cost Much

Every aviation safety program is on a budget and incorporating safety programs can sometimes be costly, but there are some ways to keep safety as a priority without spending a dime, such as

• Developing a training program with integrated safety training;
• Encouraging an environment of positive peer influence; and
• Providing an outlet for anonymous reporting of incidents.

These are just a few, inexpensive ways to promote safety at flight schools or any other aviation service provider. Safety promotion is about communication and training. Employees must be trained in hazard identification and the organization's safety reporting processes. Otherwise, the aviation safety management system (SMS) will not work as designed.

Which Safety Charts Help Accountable Executives the Most?

In aviation safety management systems (SMS), the accountable executive is responsible for ensuring their SMS is both:

• implemented according to regulatory standards; and
• performing in all areas of the organization.

To ensure the SMS is performing as designed, accountable executives should be regularly reviewing organizational safety performance. When substandard safety performance is detected, it is the accountable executive's responsibility to bring the SMS into compliance.

Performance monitoring charts assist accountable executives to make decisions based on available data. What chart(s) should your accountable executive be reviewing?

Why Change Management in Aviation SMS Is Important

Management of change in aviation safety management systems (SMS) is a complex undertaking because so often it involves performing in-depth risk analysis and risk assessments on current and hypothetical

• hazards,
• equipment;
• processes and procedures;
• environments, and
• one-off situations.

If change management is not performed thoroughly, organizations place themselves at the mercy of unexpected events, as well as the overlooked deterioration of existing risk controls due to the change.

Safety Management Systems Bore Most Employees

Unlike those who study and create safety management systems (SMS), to the average employee these programs can be boring.

It’s not that the average employees don’t value safety, it’s just that they need to see how these programs are beneficial to them personally.

So how can we change our safety culture and encourage participation in aviation safety management systems? Below are six ideas on how to get people involved:

What Is Bowtie Analysis in Aviation SMS

Bowtie analysis  in aviation safety management systems (SMS) databases is a fairly new tool that is catching on with great success in aviation risk management programs. There are not many SMS databases that have the bowtie, but if you want a great risk management tool seamlessly incorporated into your hazard and risk register, then getting an SMS database with the bowtie is a great choice.

Simply put, the bowtie is one of the most effective risk management tools currently available to aviation safety managers. It ties together previously distinct  risk philosophies and tools into a single purpose.

Everyone Understands Hazard Reporting

Every aviation safety professional has heard of a hazard reporting system in regards to aviation safety management systems (SMS). The intent of hazard reporting goes beyond merely hazard identification in a true SMS.

Safety managers are constantly urging employees to report any:

• Accident;
• Incident; or
• Irregularity (which is commonly a hazard).

Airport SMS vs Airline SMS Implementations

Surprisingly, we receive questions about “airline SMS programs” and “airport SMS programs” all the time, as if they were two entirely different species of aviation SMS.

I get the feeling that the question of airport SMS vs airline SMS arises from misinterpreting what aviation safety management systems (SMS) are.

In three lines, aviation SMS implementations are:

• Formal bureaucratic processes to identify and mitigate risk;
• Designed to quantify and qualify risk management practices; and
• A marriage of positive safety culture with efficient safety policy with the goal of continuous improvement.

How Do We Define Hazard Identification in Aviation SMS

Like the concept of safety culture, hazard identification in aviation safety management systems (SMS) is usually taken at face value: it’s just something that happens or doesn’t happen.

While the concept of hazard identification – literally just the awareness of hazards within a system – if very simple, understanding the process of hazard identification is significantly more complex, and requires careful consideration.

Number One Asset in Aviation Risk Management Programs

People.

Superior safety performance in any aviation risk management program is always the result of putting the needs of employees first, and then supporting them with quality policies and procedures, and great aviation safety management system (SMS) tools.

Great aviation safety policy can give rise to quality lagging indicator controls (reactive controls to the safety event) through analysis of issues. But leading safety indicators – that is to say proactive indicators – will ever only be worth as much as the employees behind the risk controls.