The Relationship between Human Factors and Safety Management Systems (SMS) within an EASA Part 145 Organization

Sofema Online (SOL) considers the Relationship between Human Factors and Safety System Management (SMS) within an EASA Part 145, how this should impact human factors training and training best practices.

Introduction

In an EASA Part 145 organization, the integration of human factors and SMS is critical to enhancing safety and operational performance.

By understanding the relationship between human factors and SMS, organizations can develop targeted training programs and best practices that address the root causes of human error and promote a proactive safety culture.

This holistic approach ensures that human factors are considered in all aspects of safety management, leading to stronger safety

Human factors encompass a range of elements that affect human performance in the workplace, including psychological, physiological, and social influences. In the context of aviation maintenance, these factors can significantly impact safety and operational efficiency.

 

Key Human Factors:

Ergonomics: Physical layout of the workplace and tools.

Cognitive Load: Mental demands on technicians.

Fatigue: Impact of work schedules and rest periods.

Communication: Clarity and effectiveness of information exchange.

Training and Competence: Skill levels and ongoing training needs.

Human Error: Understanding and mitigating mistakes.

Safety Management System (SMS)

An SMS is a structured approach to managing safety, including the necessary organizational structures, accountabilities, policies, and procedures. Within an EASA Part 145 organization, the SMS aims to proactively identify hazards and control risks before they result in accidents or incidents.

Components of SMS:

Safety Policy: Commitment to safety and continuous improvement.

Risk Management: Identifying and mitigating risks.

Safety Assurance: Monitoring and evaluating safety performance.

Safety Promotion: Developing a positive safety culture through training and communication. 

Integration of Human Factors and SMS

Human factors are integral to the success of an SMS in an EASA Part 145 organization. The interplay between these elements ensures a comprehensive approach to safety management, recognizing that human performance significantly impacts overall safety.

Integration Strategies:

Risk Assessment: Incorporating human factors into hazard identification and risk assessment processes.

Incident Investigation: Including human factors analysis in incident investigations to understand the root causes related to human performance.

Safety Culture: Promoting a culture that values safety and encourages reporting and continuous improvement.

Impact on Human Factors Training

Effective human factors training should be tailored to support SMS objectives and address specific human performance issues identified through the SMS.

Training Objectives:

Awareness: Educate staff on the importance of human factors in safety.

Skill Development: Enhance competencies in areas such as communication, teamwork, and decision-making.

Error Management: Teach techniques to recognize, report, and mitigate human errors.

Continuous Learning: Ensure ongoing training and refreshers to keep skills and knowledge up-to-date.

Best Practices for Strong Outcomes

To achieve strong outcomes in human factors and SMS integration, EASA Part 145 organizations should adopt the following best practices:

Leadership Commitment:

Demonstrate management commitment to human factors and safety through policies, resources, and actions.

Structured Training Programs:

Develop comprehensive training programs that cover all relevant aspects of human factors and are integrated with SMS requirements. 

Continuous Monitoring and Improvement:

Regularly review and update human factors training and SMS procedures based on feedback and safety performance data.

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

Foster collaboration between departments to ensure a holistic approach to safety that includes human factors considerations.

Employee Involvement:

Engage employees at all levels in safety discussions, training, and improvement initiatives to foster a strong safety culture.

Next Steps

Sofema Aviation Services (www.sassofia.com) and Sofema Online (www.sofemaonline.com) provide Human Factors, Safety and Maintenance Event Decision Aid (MEDA) Training, together with Training for Trainers in the mentioned Courses. Delivered as Classroom, Webinar and Online courses – Please see the respective websites or email [email protected]