SMS Pro Aviation Safety Software Blog 4 Airlines & Airports

Common Confusion Regarding Aviation SMS Training

Since November 2006, ICAO has mandated that aviation service providers implement formal aviation safety management systems (SMS). Among multiple operators that we have worked with, there has been confusion about:

• Who should participate in the aviation SMS;
• Who should receive SMS training; 
• When must this training be delivered to employees;
• What topics must be covered in the SMS training;
• How often must SMS training be delivered to employees;
• What are the bare minimum requirements for SMS training; and
• What's the easiest way to comply with the aviation SMS training requirements?

Importance of Keywords in Aviation SMS

Keywords in Aviation Safety Management Systems (SMS) are the most important words that new or experienced aviation safety professionals need to know. Usage of the correct terminology in the aviation industry is important for stakeholders to understand particular contexts in which safety events may occur and also any nuances that may cloud definitions due to regional differences or the introduction of unfamiliar technology.

What Initial SMS Training Is, and How It’s Different

Since November 2006, most aviation service providers have been required to implement formal aviation safety management systems (SMS). In order to assure compliance, aviation SMS oversight is provided by:

• Regional civil aviation authorities;
• Standards setting bodies (IATA, IS-BAO, Flight Safety Foundation, etc.); and
• Customers requiring SMS implementations from their vendors.

Aviation SMS oversight is conducted by quality assurance auditors using pre-defined, industry-accepted checklists that align with SMS regulatory requirements. Auditors use these checklists in their SMS audits, assessments and evaluations. A common question operators hear from SMS auditors is whether employees:

• are aware of the implemented aviation SMS; and
• have been trained in hazard identification, safety reporting processes and the purpose of the aviation SMS implementation?

What Are You Looking for When Performing Risk Analysis

During the risk management process in an aviation safety management system (SMS), one of the expected tasks is to analyze risk of hazards associated with

• reported safety issues;
• audit findings; and
• proposed operational changes.

When you perform risk analysis on whatever type of a safety issue in aviation SMS, your goal is to understand how and why the underlying issue effects risk exposure in your organization. Understanding how and why an issue effects risk exposure is the logical step that leads to being able assess how much it affects risk exposure.

Benefits of Automated SMS Training for Initial and Recurrent Training Requirements

During the implementation of formal aviation safety management systems (SMS), service providers are expected to develop and deliver SMS training to employees in every implementation phase except the first phase. For example:

• Phase II: Deliver training relevant to reactive risk management processes;
• Phase III: Deliver training relevant to reactive risk management processes; and
• Phase IV: Develop training relevant to operational safety assurance.

Recognizing Good Aviation Risk Management Training Is Crucial

Having good aviation risk management training is perhaps one of the most important ways to improve safety in your organization.

What Defines Aviation Safety Training

Aviation safety training and education is an essential building block to develop performant safety cultures. This should be among the first elements to scrutinize whenever employees are involved in safety accidents or incidents.

Safety training and education falls under the Safety Promotion component in the 4 Pillars of Aviation SMS. Safety training can make or break the successful performance of an SMS program for:

What Is a Hazard

A hazard in aviation risk management is a condition that poses danger to your organization, and can lead to safety incidents if not mitigated. Hazards are central to the entire risk management process. Often, hazards are either confused with risks (i.e., accidents) and hazardous sources. We will explore what hazardous sources are and how they differ from hazards in this article.

What Is Safety Management Training

Don’t confuse safety management training with “training for managers in a safety program.” They are not the same thing.

Safety management training is simply any safety training whose goal is to allow employees to better manage their own safety and the safety of others around them.

Misconceptions about Hazard Identification Training in SMS

Hazard Identification Training is not just for aviation safety officers.

Every area of an organization is exposed to different types of hazards, including, but not limited to:

• Chemicals;
• Electrical hazards;
• Moving equipment; and
• Untrained personnel.