A comment often heard from our customers, iterates the difficulty in repositioning the SMS to truly deliver a proactive system. Even amongst those who accept that a fully integrated SMS system will deliver both efficiencies and savings.
Whilst we all agree that without integrating the SMS system within all elements of the organisation we will not achieve the benefits available, the problem is still in achieving delivery. (often associated with commitment and investment in SMS promotion and training).
The SMS must be Management led with robust policies and procedures, but most of all it has to be focused on all members of the organisation, simply it is people who need to manage SMS and to be guided by SMS principles.
Without the entire management across all the business areas fully committed to leading by example the SMS system will be disadvantaged. This is a significant part of the challenge of moving the Safety Management System SMS to provide more than regulatory compliance.
When we consider root cause associated with SMS related or identified issues it is often related to competence, process, procedures, training an several different cultures at work within the organisation
The transition from a traditional SMS to the risk managed model, requires many changes within the organisation and the work place, and this change should not be taken lightly. .The real SMS solution requires an integrated approach within the organisation with commitment from the senior management and an understanding of the need and importance throughout the organisation.
All elements of your business should share the same SMS and the same processes, but these process need to be promoted and educated throughout the organisation.
Each post holder and each department head should sell SMS not because they have to but because they understand the need, this is the culture which an organisation should aspire to.
The SMS system has to become a seamless process of driving data supporting the associated processes of managing this date through a risk and mitigation process. The is no room for the old system where the Safety Manager was held accountable for much of the required decision making driven by findings and occurrences. (A further example of challenge to move the Safety Management System SMS to provide more than regulatory compliance.)
Organisations which only see a goal of regulatory compliance as the primary objective will miss the opportunities of driving real benefit whilst still having to fund much of the costs.
The message should be clearly understood we have to train to ensure that our entire workforce has the necessary competencies to deliver effective SMS within the workplace.
Sofema Aviation Services www.sassofia.com provide a range of SMS related trainings including implementation workshops and Risk assessment training.
For a quotation please email office@sassofia.com
