Transitional Considerations related to the Introduction of an EASA Compliant Safety Management System within an EASA Part 145 SMS Organisation
Sofema Online (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com considers the primary issues that need to be addressed to ensure the effective implementation of a fully viable Safety Management System within the EASA Part 145 Organisation.
Introduction
Transitioning from a Pre SMS compliant EASA Part 145 organization to the introduction of a Safety Management System (SMS) can pose several challenges. However, with practical implementation and the employment of best practices and optimization, the process can help overcome these challenges and reap the benefits of an effective SMS.
Major Considerations to Address:
>> Change in Organizational Culture: One of the major challenges is changing the organizational culture to embrace a proactive safety approach. This requires a shift from a reactive mindset to a proactive one. To optimize the process:
o Create a safety culture committee comprising representatives from all levels of the organization to drive cultural change.
o Develop and communicate a clear safety policy statement that emphasizes the organization's commitment to safety.
o Resource Allocation: Implementing an SMS requires dedicating adequate resources, including personnel, time, and budget. To optimize resource allocation:
>> Conduct a thorough analysis of existing resources and identify any gaps or additional requirements
>> Allocate resources based on a realistic assessment of the organization's size, complexity, and operational needs.
>> Training and Competence: Ensuring that employees have the necessary knowledge and skills to implement and maintain an SMS is vital. To optimize the training and competence aspect:
o Develop a comprehensive training plan that covers all relevant personnel, including top management, safety officers, and frontline employees.
o Provide regular refresher training to keep employees up-to-date with SMS requirements and best practices.
>> Integration with Existing Processes: Integrating the SMS into existing processes can be a challenge, especially if there are already well-established procedures in place. To optimize the integration:
o Conduct a gap analysis to identify areas where the SMS can complement and enhance existing processes.
o Modify existing processes to align with SMS requirements while minimizing disruptions to operations.
>> Documentation and Reporting: Establishing an effective documentation and reporting system is crucial for the success of an SMS. To optimize this aspect:
o Develop clear and standardized procedures for reporting incidents, hazards, and safety concerns.
o Implement a user-friendly and centralized safety management software system to streamline documentation and reporting processes.
>> Continuous Improvement: An SMS should be a dynamic system that continuously improves over time. To optimize the process of continuous improvement:
o Establish a safety review board or committee to regularly review safety performance, identify trends, and recommend corrective actions.
o Encourage employees to actively participate in safety-related initiatives, such as safety suggestion programs or safety promotion campaigns.
>> Benefits of implementing an SMS include improved safety performance, reduced accidents and incidents, enhanced risk management, regulatory compliance, and increased stakeholder confidence.
Optimizing the transition process requires strong leadership commitment, effective communication, and a systematic approach. It is also essential to involve employees at all levels and empower them to contribute to the development and implementation of the SMS.
Regular monitoring and review of the SMS's effectiveness will help identify areas for improvement and ensure the system remains relevant and effective in the long run.
Next Steps
Check out the Sofema Online 145 SMS accelerator package - EASA Part 145 Training Opportunity. By Introducing EASA Part 145 Safety Management Training Standards across your organisation, you will be able to provide significant benefits including improved safety and compliance.
Leading organizations use a range of strategies, such as communicating the benefits, monitoring performance, tracking incident rates, and gathering feedback from employees.
It is essential to benchmark the EASA Part 145 Safety Management Training Standard across the organisation to raise awareness and minimize risk as well as to improve safety outcomes.
If you have any comments or questions please email team@sassofia.com
