Safety Management Systems (SMS)

ICAO Annex 6 requires that all operators implement a Safety Management System (SMS).

Introducing a Safety Management System

In recent years much effort has been devoted to understanding how accidents happen in aviation and other industries. It is now generally accepted that most accidents result from human error. It would be easy to conclude that these human errors arise from from carelessness or incompetence on the job, but that would not be accurate. Investigators are finding that the human is only the last link in a chain that leads to an accident.

We will not prevent accidents by changing people; we will only prevent accidents when we address the underlying causal factors.   In the 1990's the term ‘organisational accident' was coined because most of the links in an accident chain are under the control of the organisation. Since the greatest threats to aviation safety originate in organisational issues, making the system even safer will require action by the organisation.

After conducting extensive research Civil Aviation  authorities throughout the world have concluded that the most efficient way to make aviation systems even safer will be to adopt a systems approach to safety management.

Civil Aviation safety framework identifies six evolving directions which represent the principal adjustments that need to made over the next few years:

• Adopting a data-driven approach to enhancing aviation safety. This includes collecting and making more accessible the type of data that will support a proactive approach to safety.
• Using a risk-based approach to resource allocation to support those activities which will achieve the greatest safety benefit.
• Fostering and strengthening partnerships to put into effect the concept that responsibility for safety is shared by the regulator and the aviation community.
• Implementing safety management systems in aviation organisations.
• Taking account of human and organisational factors in safety management practices.
• Communicating effectively with the aviation community on safety.

Implementing safety management systems is the cornerstone of the evolving directions. All the other directions will evolve within a safety management system environment. Safety management systems are based on the fact that there will always be hazards and risks, so proactive management is needed to identify and control these threats to safety before they lead to mishaps.

What is a Safety Management System.

A safety management system is a systematic, explicit and comprehensive process for managing safety risks. As with all management systems, a safety management system provides for goal setting, planning, and measuring performance.

The course covers the following:

• How to Build a Safety Management System.
• What is a Safety Culture?
• How to Develop a Positive Safety Culture.
• What Does a Safety Management System Do for an Organisation?
• How Does a Safety Management System Differ From Traditional Approaches?  
  

Day One

• SMS Course Introduction
• Safety Culture
• The Role of the Safety Manager
• Review of days subject

Day Two

• Introduction to Safety Management Systems
• SMS Regulation
• Establishing a Safety Management System
• Review of days subjects

Day Three

• Implementing a Safety Management System
• SMS Operation
• Review of days subjects

Day Four

• Safety Concepts
• Hazards & Hazards Identification
• Risks & Risk Assessment
• Examination and Feedback