EASA is set to Introduce SMS within an EASA 145 Maintenance Environment
As part of the proposals to be found in forthcoming regulation NPA 2019-05 (C) SMS will be introduced into the EASA 145 Environment
Presented by SofemaOnline - a service provided by Sofema Aviation Services, offering a range of EASA, FAA and other leading regulatory compliant and vocational online courses, many with voice over.
Introduction - Safety Management Systems (SMS) - Nothing New?
SMS became an ICAO requirement as of Jan 2009 and EASA is late to embed SMS within the “145” environment. However, there is a very important aspect of SMS to consider and it is this.
The fact that everyone is “familiar” with SMS is a source of potential challenge and even “danger”. Why? - Familiarity Breeds Contempt (Hear that one before?)
Ask your colleague to explain to you the difference between Hazard & Risk or The Difference between Compliance Auditing (Quality Assurance) and Safety Auditing, and you will see the point!
Safety management seeks to proactively identify hazards and to mitigate the related safety risks before they result in aviation accidents and incidents.
Safety management enables an organisation to manage its activities in a more systematic and focused manner. When an organisation has a clear understanding of its role and contribution to aviation safety, it can prioritise safety risks and more effectively manage their resources and obtain optimal results.
Author's Note
The Most Important Elements of an Effective SMS are the following:
1. Top-Down - Means SMS is taken seriously and driven by the “Leadership Team” and permeates throughout the organisation
2. Education - All employees require training and it is not a 1 size fits all - means training should be role specific - Supervisors and Managers need different training to the front line staff.
One comment from an Accountable Manager faced with the training burden - not worth it just give everyone the same briefing! (Says it all!)
3. Ownership of Problems/Issues sits within the appropriate business area and is managed in an effective and structured way
4. Feedback is provided to all frontline staff reporting what they see as a Hazard - lack of feedback/action becomes a demotivator
5. Real and Effective Risk Analysis and Root Course Determination and effective selection of the most appropriate mitigations - again connects to the “Leadership Team”
6. Marketing - Make people believe in the value of SMS Open Reporting and effective implementation of positive change
Sofema Aviation Services www.sassofia.com and SofemaOnline www.sofemaonline.com provide EASA Compliant Regulatory and Vocational Training.
Please see the website or contact us at office@sassofia.com or online@sassofia.com
