SMS Pro Aviation Safety Software Blog 4 Airlines & Airports

Four Pillars of Safety Management Systems (SMS)

In 2006, International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) required safety management system (SMS) implementation for most commercial aviation service providers. The list of required service providers has been expanded in recent years to include:

• Aircraft operators;
• Aircraft maintenance organizations (AMOs or MROs);
• Air navigation services providers;
• Helicopter operators;

How Do You Set Key Performance Indicators

Most safety managers consider aligning their operation's key performance indicators with organizational objectives, such as

• "Lost Time Injuries,"
• "Employee Turnover," and
• "Seats Sold."

Four Pillars or Components Make a Tough Topic More Digestible

When the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) required a formal safety management system (SMS) implementation by aviation service providers in 2006, they didn't simply pass a ruling. ICAO offered guidance material for SMS implementation in Document 9859, now in the third edition.

All aviation safety management professionals should read Document 9859 at least once. It is surprisingly easy to read.

Common Safety Manager Challenges in Aviation SMS Programs

Safety managers face difficult challenges when complying with the ICAO aviation safety management systems (SMS) requirements. Most airlines and airports around the world understand that they have to implement these SMS requirements.

In many parts of the world, aviation safety managers commonly lack:

• Clear guidance to implement aviation SMS;
• Earnest participation by the entire organization; and

What Is an SMS Risk Control Process?

A risk control process for an aviation safety management system (SMS) entails a series of risk management tasks that are executed whenever:

• Hazards are identified;
• An event has occurred (accident, incident, irregularity); or
• An audit finding is uncovered (internal as well as external audits).

Proactive Hazard Identification Saves Lives

Every aviation operation endures varying levels of risk, depending on ever-changing environmental conditions.

The operating environment never remains constant.

No two operations are identical.

Certain factors will always interject uncertainty and risk into the operation, including:

• Human;
• Equipment; and

Aviation Safety Policies Require Review, Didn't You Know?

Safety managers are busy people. After all, they are constantly ensuring SMS documentation requirements are appropriately managed for all four pillars of the aviation safety management system (SMS).

It's easy to let something slip by if there are no mechanisms in place for quality assurance for your aviation SMS.

Time Passes Quickly in the Aviation Safety Industry

Over a dozen years have passed since the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) required aviation safety management system (SMS) implementation by the following aviation service providers:

• Aircraft operators;
• Aircraft maintenance organizations (AMOs or MROs);
• Air navigation services providers;
• Helicopter operators;

Safety Risk Management Is the SMS Star

In November 2006, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) required the implementation of an aviation safety management system (SMS) by the following aviation service provider organizations:

• Aircraft operators;
• Aircraft maintenance organizations;
• Air navigation services providers; and
• Airport operators (certified aerodromes).

Do You Have the Aviation Safety Manager Job?

If you have been a safety manager for years now, do you remember when you first started? So many questions, such as: Where do I start?

It can be frightening to be suddenly assigned as the safety manager when you know very little about what the "safety manager" does every day. And now you have been assigned to implement a safety management system (SMS)? "What did I get myself into?" you may ask yourself.

Employees of all positions are being assigned as the safety manager, often without direct operational experience.