Flight Crew standard operating procedures (SOP’s) are only as effective as the willingness of the flight Crews to follow.
Operators and maintainers should continually strive to identify whether defences contain recognized safety hazards and to use these indicators as an early warning safety system.
A “tool” is a device or implement, used to carry out a particular function.
In the context of our SMS we develop processes to deliver a consistency to our process.
For example a check list containing questions which is constructed in such way that it provides a weighting to the answers, can be used to provide an insight into the potential risk or exposure for a proposed operations.
The organization can develop and build its own tool kit, typically using the capabilities which exist within the Safety Action Group SAG.
The important point is to develop a consistency across the various business areas and departments so that we have a standardized approach.
It is not unusual to find during the implementation phase that only a very limited effort has been invested into the development of the organization “tools”.
How to develop?
What to consider and take into full account?
Key areas are: Hazard Reporting – Risk Assessment – Mitigation Development.
Together with a “Just and Fair” Culture which will be evident to all involved.
We have to identify safety hazards throughout the operation which pose a threat to our people, equipment, property or the environment.
To measure the exposure in terms of likelihood and severity of these hazards
The importance of Communication can not be over stated as it is critical to the success of the SMS.
The Communication has to be led from above – means the direct involvement of the senior management.
The more transparency that can be introduced the better will be your SMS process.
Understand the current cross company cultural issues, in depth by surveying a cross section of the organization to establish both the initial and long term goals which have to be integrated into the SMS
The SMS must involve employees from the “Shop Floor” to ensure their “buy in” and to not just allay any fears but to deal with reluctance and attitudes which can be described as negative to the process.
The SMS has to exist in a form which is recognizable to all employees and which is not only transparent but which “shares” the issues and the mitigations in a way which can be understood as a positive outcome.
For example to market internally the early success stories in a way which will provide a motivation and “buy in”.
For this to be successful this process needs to be managed as a strategy, with a variety of options or “tools” available.
The organization has to understand that this is an extremely busy phase of the implementation process and will require appropriate resources to ensure that it delivered successfully.
Sofema Aviation Services www.sassofia.com offers several SMS courses for addtional details please email office@sassofia.com
Sofema Aviation Services
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Hazard Reporting, Mitigation Development, Risk Assessment, SMS courses, Sofema Aviation Services
