Integrating Safety Management Systems and Quality Management Systems

Do Organisations “underperform”?

Please consider the following questions:

Are you happy that as an Organisation you have assessed the Risk and exposure across the business to reduce it to its minimum exposure within the context of the organisations “reasonable” expectations (Here we reference the term as low as reasonably practicable ALARP)?

Are you happy with the level of reporting within the organisation? Not just the events, which have happened but also the “nearly events” how are you measuring the effectiveness of your internal reporting system?

As a general guy for every Mandatory Occurrence Report (MOR) or Service Difficulty Report (SDR).

There will be a further 30 events, which should be reported into the internal system, and possible 300 “nearly but not quite events”, which can be understood as an exposure.

Are you managing the competence of all front line and key staff to an organisational standard? How are you measuring the effectiveness of this standard?

How strong are the internal procedures and processes?

Again how are we measuring the “success” of our procedures (Do we audit for performance or only compliance?)?

So lots of things to consider and of course potentially lots of exposure

Often the root cause can be traced to poor or weak procedures and whilst the direct cause is often human error we have a number of contributory factors which focus on How the organisation is managing its systems and processes.

When we look back with hindsight we can see clearly all elements, which have together conspired to create the pre-cursors which allow a situation or event to happen.

However, it is too late when “something” has happened.

The Role of EASA within MEMS – SMS What is the Story

It is not expensive to commit an organisation to an integrated SMS/QMS process all it takes is leadership and a willingness to implement a real and effective system.

Too many organisations, unfortunately, have “bought the SMS book” and keep it on the shelf.

Please consider:

How connected is your QMS & SMS – do they pool data (or resources?)

Here is a good benchmark measure of effectiveness.

How many times have you updated or amended your SMS documentation since the launch of your SMS Program?

How are you measuring the effectiveness of your SMS training?

Final Comments

Where there is a will there is a way – means a small change of mindset can result in a significant reduction in exposure which on a good day can also generate financial benefits be reducing losses and improving efficiency across the business areas.

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