A discussion document raised by Steven Bentley
Steven Bentley MD of Sofema Aviation Services www.sassofia.com has written and delivered more than 25 different Aviation Safety Management System training courses. In addition to having the opportunity to assess the effectiveness of SMS within a significant number of organisations and to understand where are the major challenges to delivering an effective SMS in addition to have the opportunity as well as a willingness to understanding why often the SMS is not delivering to the level or standard which we expected.
The first challenge – Why do we have an SMS?
Unfortunately the reason that the SMS exists at all is often driven predominantly by a regulatory requirement – means it is driven by a prescriptive obligation – but the system itself is a performance based system so there is a disconnect at this minimum level of functionality.
Where we have a genuine desire to develop an effective system (often an organisation embraces renewed or energised interest after an accident, incident or event!) there is a measured difference in the system.
Where are the Risks in our Organisation?
Do we know what are risks are? Have we created a risk register? If we have not paid attention to understanding the risk which we face, how can we address them in a realistic way?
Have you moved through the following processes:
- Identify what hazards can be found in the operation;
- Assess the risks which are associated with the Hazards – measure the threat we face;
- Develop mitigation mechanisms to manage how are the hazards to be controlled;
- Determine the potential recovery activities if the hazards actually mature (occur)?
The above activity will let us build our Hazard (Risk) Register which will become a foundation document to manage our SMS.
What Cultural barriers do we face?
That there are in fact barriers is unfortunately both manifest and easy to find often it is driven by existing beliefs and practices which characterise an organisation and its employees. Culture has to be managed as a top down system where the management team are genuine and lead by example.
A real SMS makes the difference!
A systematic approach means that the business understands its threats and hazards, and as a result they are both known and understood. It is no chance occurrence that companies who have a strong safety culture are also profitable. The investment into SMS is repaid not just with a lower level of exposure but also with an improved communication process throughout the company.
Sofema Aviation Services would welcome the opportunity to help you to explore the effectiveness of your SMS and to development organisational led improvements.
Please see www.sassofia.com or email office@sassofia.com
