August 08, 2017

sasadmin

ICAO’s minimum guidelines for an aviation SMS program are laid down in Document 9859 driven by International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Standard and recommended Practice (SARP) Annex 19.

ICAO has also mandated that SMS should be included in Airport’s, Operators, Maintainers, Air Navigation Services, and Air Traffic Control.

EASA Has embraced this requirement in Regulation 965/2012 Management System for Operators. Also in Regulation 139/2014 for Aerodromes. In the future EASA will demonstrate compliance with all ICAO requirements.

The Four Pillars of SMS consist of

A genuine and meaningful Safety Policy, a Risk Management process which is manned by competent people and works, Safety Assurance which is able to measure risk and exposure in a meaningful way throughout the business, and most importantly the ability to deliver Safety Promotion throughout the business.

What Can a Safety Management System (SMS) deliver for us?

To provide Senior Management with full awareness of the key risks or exposures of the business. When you consider the challenge faced by the Senior Executive in appreciating the issues which face the organisation at the “Front Line” It becomes apparent that a system which is able to gather and process related to hazards and exposures can be potentially very valuable.

The ability to Mitigate or control the potential “safety threats”.

It is difficult to control what we are not aware off. An SMS potentially lifts the lid off this and helps us to develop an understanding which can then lead to mitigations which can help us to lower the exposure.

A clear and concise organisational process which is documented and can be used as an educator for our staff.

EASA describes the Development of a Management System which clearly defines lines of accountability throughout the organisation.- The key to success is invariably the management of competences across the business, including where necessary role specific training.

The active involvement of all the staff in safety

With safety education comes safety involvement and we need to encourage our staff to pay attention to safety exposure across the business in multiple different ways.
A strong SMS also becomes the mechanism whereby the Senior Management can demonstrate effective oversight and management of its risks.

What is the objective of an effective Safety Management System?

Clearly to Identifies safety hazards.
To also ensure that appropriate remedial action necessary to maintain an acceptable level of safety is implemented together with a method of assessing the effectiveness of any such remedial action.
Our system should be able to provide for continuous monitoring together with regular assessment of the safety level achieved.
By having a clear understanding of the status of our SMS we should also be able to make continuous improvement to the overall level of safety throughout the business.

Let’s not over focus on the need for a Database or SMS Software

SMS is data driven and it essential that we manage the data in the most effective way, but without an effective system “posh software” is off little benefit.
I know if one airline who happily used XL until the fleet was over 20 Aircraft, Often this becomes a classic sell from the Software guys.

Reality Check – Most important is the following:

a) An effective system with Sufficient Manpower who are engaged with the SMS.
b) An executive who truly believe in the effectiveness of a top down safety management system.
c) A program to educate all employees with the training related to the specific needs (not a 1 size fits all)
d) A genuine program to drive change management
e) The ability to make meaningful assessments of any perceived exposure
f) An effective documentation system which is embedded in the organisation and underpins the effectiveness of the SMS

Sofema Aviation Services (SAS) www.sassofia.com together with EASAOnline (EOL) www.easaonline.com offers a range of classroom and online SMS training courses. For additional information please email office@sassofia.comor easaonline@sassofia.com