Considering the Developments of Aviation Safety Management Systems (SMS)
Where are we in our SMS journey in 2018? It is almost 1 decade since ICAO introduced the requirement for Proactive SMS, the good news is that it is evident that SMS is having a positive effect on the overall safety level across the industry.
In accordance with EASA Regulatory Obligations the accountable executive is accountable for establishing the SMS and allocating sufficient resources to support and maintain an effective SMS.
The current situation shows on examination that across lower levels within the industry (and this is true of almost all organisations) there as still a significant level of unreported exposures. Partly this is due to insufficient engagement with the SMS by many of the junior employees.
Pre-Requisites for Delivering SMS
SMS should build on existing organisation business processes and integrate with all the various elements of the management system. SMS Key Processes include Hazard Identification, Occurrence Reporting, Risk Management and Performance Measurement.
The origins of an Operators SMS goes back to the late 1990’s when a reactive Flight Data Analysis Program was introduced (ref JAR OPS 1 – 1.037) to identify potential operational exposures suing data derived from Flight Data Monitoring (FDM).
The SMS is subsequently expanded throughout the business and considers hazards and associated risks that impact the whole organization. In addition to look at the Risk Controls and mitigations.
Whilst SMS focuses on the safety aspects of the organization, considering the risks associated with identified hazards and the development of mitigations QMS focuses on ensuring regulatory and organisation compliance with all required obligations.
The reality is that both non-conformities and hazards can impact safety, means they are not mutually exclusive and work together to deliver an effective business solution.
The bottom line is that you cannot have an effective SMS without applying quality management principles.
SMS Management & Oversight
The Management team of the organisation is responsible for implementing, maintaining and ensuring adherence to the SMS processes within their respective business areas.
By the same token employees are responsible for identifying hazards which have an unacceptable level of exposure and reporting them into the system. (This being a fundamental problem with genuine confusion as to what should or should not be reported.)
A top-down commitment from management and a personal commitment from all employees to achieve safety performance goals is an essential pre-requisite to a successful SMS.
Delivering A Gold Standard SMS
Provides for informed decision-making, Provides for a genuine improvement in safety performance. Strengthens corporate culture and provides for a focus on corporate due-diligence.
A SMS which can focus on maximizing opportunities to continuously improve the overall safety as well as the value of the aviation system.
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