SMS Pro Aviation Safety Software Blog 4 Airlines & Airports

Conforming Aviation SMS around Struggles

Aviation safety management systems (SMS) are now an FAA requirement for part 121 certificated operators.

Without having a verifiable SMS, operators will face denial of permits and other problems. For organizations that have only lightly dabbled with an SMS and do not have a demonstrable program, they are now tasked with three things:

• Beginning SMS implementation;
• Understanding current struggles impeding successful implementation; and

More Insidious than Confrontational

Formal aviation safety management systems (SMS) are continually being implemented across the world for over a dozen years now. Some are successful, while many are not. Failed or under-performing aviation SMS are a concern for account executives and the safety team.

How can management increase the chance of a successful SMS implementation?

How do safety managers remain alert to risks to their SMS implementation?

Ground Handling Accidents in Aviation Risk Management

A couple of months ago I was sitting on a Boeing 737 jet waiting for the rest of the passengers to board the plane.

My seat was near the front of the aircraft, and I had a central view of ground handling operations. Since I boarded nice and early, I had nothing better to do than sit and observe the bustling of workers, bags, and carts below me.

As I was watching, I saw one of the ground handlers come flying in on one of his carts, narrowly passing between a piece of ground equipment and another vehicle, and then come to an abrupt stop near the 737. Moreover, his route to the 737 could hardly be called standard operating procedure.

Why Hazard Reporting Matters

Hazard reporting in aviation safety management systems (SMS) is the backbone of any safety program’s performance.

Every aviation safety program depends upon hazard reports for:

• mitigating operational risk;
• settings goals;
• determining Key Performance Indicators;
• complying with SMS regulatory requirements; and
• implementing relevant risk controls.

Audit Performance Is 90% Aviation Safety Audit Preparation

Okay, I made up the “90%” figure, but aviation safety audit preparation undoubtedly plays a huge role in how you perform on aviation SMS audits. Considering that jobs may depend on audit performance, passing them is extremely critical. But you already know this.

Nonetheless when aviation SMS auditors are coming – and the stress level rises – it’s not always easy to prioritize getting prepared.

So much of audit preparation is going depend simply on your ability to know how to prepare.

Why the Issues by Location Chart Is Important

In aviation safety management systems (SMS), locations are an often underutilized and neglected detail when reporting or managing safety issues, often because modern aviation safety databases don't have the ability to trend this data effectively.

Furthermore, it’s simply easy to gloss over such a detail as – what difference does it make? In truth, adding such a detail could make no difference to ongoing continuous improvement as risk controls are implemented that should be location agnostic.

The Bane of Aviation SMS Implementations

Apathy kills aviation safety management systems (SMS).

Apathy in SMS is the most insidious kind of resistance because it incites behavior that is extremely hard in which to influence change.

Apathy may take many forms in your aviation SMS, such as:

• Non-participation in the SMS;
• Low safety reporting numbers;

Weigh Aviation SMS Consulting Pros and Cons

Aviation SMS consulting is for professionals who choose to independently contract custom SMS solutions for clients.

SMS consultants have differing roles in their clients’ SMS, depending on the needs of each organization they partner with.

Consultants generally have many years of aviation SMS experience, and are equipped with the network and knowledge to provide solutions to diverse needs.

Risk Attitude Is the Informal 13^th Human Factor

When analyzing the types of actions and behavior to address during implementing an aviation safety management system (SMS), you have to consider the risk management attitudes of:

• individuals,
• groups (e.g., departments),
• managers, and
• the organization as a whole.

Safety Promotion Places Safety into Our Conscious Zone

An aviation safety management system (SMS) can encompass many different elements but has one overarching goal: improve aviation safety.

The best way to achieve that goal depends on what kind of SMS you participate in. Not all SMS implementations are equal. Some operators merely want to check the box. Others may have a distrustful attitude toward management. Consequently, the type of SMS implementation, as well as the "potential" effectiveness of the SMS will be dependent on: