SMS Pro Aviation Safety Software Blog 4 Airlines & Airports

What Is Aviation Safety Policy

An aviation safety policy is a document in safety management systems that outlines the core, important safety information that underlies your SMS.

This required document should outline your organization’s;

• Safety values;
• Safety commitments; and
• Important safety resources (policies, procedures, accountabilities).

Communication to the Right Person Is Good Communication

It’s no secret that many if not a majority of all aviation accidents are a direct result of a lack of communication. Generally, we think of lack of communication as

• No communication whatsoever
• Misinformation or insufficient information
• Misinterpretation of information given
• Another person has no clue as to what's going on
• Cultural interpretation differences

What Is Aviation SMS Safety Policy

An Aviation Safety Policy is a document in safety management systems that outlines the core, important safety information that underlies your SMS.

It is the canon for your SMS.

This document should define your organization’s;

• Safety values;
• Safety commitments; and

Understanding Safety Policy

Many of the words and phrases used in aviation SMS have very specific meanings beyond those found in the dictionary. Hazard and risk, for example, have definitions that go beyond Merriam-Webster’s definition.

Safety policy is not one of those phrases. In fact, safety policy can refer to two distinctly different aspects of your SMS, which can be highly confusing when you jump in with both feet like I did.

Customizing Your SMS Implementation Plan

Aviation companies of all shapes and sizes can benefit from a safety management system or SMS, but when faced with implementing one, small organizations can easily find themselves overwhelmed by the requirements.

In its Safety Management Manual (SMM) the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) proposes a phased approach to SMS implementation. While this approach may work well for large organizations, it doesn't seem to have been developed with small aviation companies in mind.

What Is a System in Aviation SMS

First of all, a system is simply a logical, separate part or "entity" within the overall scope of your company that includes things like:

• Its own set of procedures, tasks, etc.
• Its own set of requirements, roles, personnel; and
• Its own set of identified hazards, associated risks, and risk control strategies.

What Is an Emergency Response Plan

An emergency response plan is a manual that companies use to address many different types of emergencies.

The manuals include:

• Who to contact;
• How to act; and
• Resources to use.

The priorities for any ERP are, in this order:

What Is SMS Design

In aviation safety, SMS design is the framework upon which operations run safely.

SMS design is encapsulated in the Safety Risk Management pillar of the 4 Pillars of SMS. Implementing the design of your SMS will be the first major accomplishment of your safety program.

Following the SRM process, your design has five stages for design:

Definition of Acceptable Level of Safety in Aviation SMS

Acceptable Level of Safety (ALoS) in Aviation SMS is how you define the maximum level of risk you are willing to accept as “reasonable.”

When I say "you," I'm actually referring to the person who has the authority to accept risk for a particular area of operations. This may include:

• Accountable executive;
• Department heads;

Safety Management Systems Drive Efficiency

I believe the primary motivation of safety management systems (SMS) in aviation is efficiency. Of course, safety and looking out for the health and well-being of others is incredibly important, that goes without saying, but there are more consequences of safety risks than simply injuries to consider.

Some accidents and mistakes cost time and money rather than lives. Preventing those types of incidents is incredibly important to aviation as well.