In any industry, there are bound to be mistakes. Mistakes can be either willful or unintentional, but are equally dangerous to aviation safety.
In aviation, unintentional mistakes can lead to devastating accidents, an outcome that we hope to prevent by implementing Safety Management Systems (SMS) in our organizations.
Aviation SMS implementations are expected to reduce both direct and indirect costs associated with accidents and minor incidents.
Topics: 3-Safety Assurance
Management of change in aviation SMS is a formal process for facilitating changes in safety programs. In general, the change management process is evoked when larger, system-level changes are needed in the SMS.
Small changes are handled with corrective actions.
The term “mitigate risk” and “risk mitigation” is slightly misleading. This is because the meaning of the term “risk” changes depending on the context in which it is used.
Confusion also exists because different safety experts have different understandings of what “risk” means.
Topics: 3-Safety Assurance
"Safety culture" in aviation safety management systems (SMS) is a phrase that gets thrown around a lot and in many types of SMS conversations.
Yet “safety culture” is also a phrase that rarely receives a concise definition, and is often used to convey “a general sense of safety.”
Topics: 3-Safety Assurance
Formal aviation safety management systems (SMS) have been 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 is a concern for account executives and the safety team.
How can management increase the chance of a successful SMS implementation?
Topics: 3-Safety Assurance
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.
Topics: 3-Safety Assurance
Okay, I made up the “90%” figure. However, aviation safety audit preparation undoubtedly plays a huge role in how you perform aviation SMS audits. Considering that jobs may depend on audit performance, passing them is extremely critical. But you already know this.
Topics: 3-Safety Assurance
The long and short of is this: don’t fool yourself. You’re just one person. One component in the clock that makes your aviation safety management system (SMS) tick.
Don’t get me wrong, as an aviation safety manager, inspector, executive, etc. you may be central in keeping the word safety in your SMS program. The basic fact remains that the weight and complexity inherent in all SMS programs – even small programs – are quickly outstripping anyone’s ability to be in the know of everything.
Topics: 3-Safety Assurance
I hardly need to point out how critical aviation SMS training is for the ongoing success of any aviation safety program.
Operators with well-developed safety training strategies often reap the benefits of a resilient, high-functioning aviation safety management system (SMS).
Topics: 3-Safety Assurance
Monitoring safety performance in aviation safety management systems (SMS) is undoubtedly one of the most important tasks you will undertake in your SMS. Regulatory requirements turn to monitoring the performance of the SMS from a "nice-to-have program" for reducing risk and avoiding accidents to a "must have and must demonstrate proof" to comply with SMS regulatory requirements.
Safety performance monitoring is integral for maintaining Safety Assurance and the integrity of your SMS program.
Topics: 3-Safety Assurance
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