What is SMS?

The application of a systematic, proactive, and well-defined safety program (as is inherent in a SMS) allows an organization producing a product or service to strike a realistic and efficient balance between safety and production. SMS is one way to contribute to this effort by increasing the likelihood that aviation companies, airport operators and government agencies will detect and correct safety problems before those problems result in an aircraft accident or incident.

Similar to other management functions, Safety Management requires planning, organizing, communicating and providing direction. A well designed SMS program provides for the Management of Safety in a systematic and proactive way. An SMS program also needs to have a formal risk management program that analyzes, assesses and ultimately reduces risk. SMS programs need not be complex and are normally comprised of four elements

• Safety Policy and Objectives

• Safety Risk Management

• Safety Assurance

• Safety Promotion

To be effective, an SMS program needs to state the safety policies and objectives so that each employee, from the CEO on down, understands that the company takes safety seriously and that each individual has a responsibility in regards to safety. This safety policy should be signed by top level management so that everybody understands the company’s dedication to providing a safe and hazard free environment.

A company also needs a risk management program. This program should identify how the company actively seeks out risks and hazards associated with the companies operations. Once these risks and hazards are identified, they will need to be added to a database and then analyzed to determine if action should be taken and what that action should be.

Safety assurance is gained by auditing your companies operations and safety procedures. These audits can be internal, external or both. Any discrepancies that are noted should be reviewed and corrected as necessary. Also the results should be published so that all employees can learn how they can specifically help to fix any noted discrepancies.

If you want your safety program to be successful, you have to do more than just write policies and procedures. You will need to train your employees on what SMS is and their specific responsibilities in regards to SMS. Safety should also be promoted through the use of safety information like newsletters, bulletins or posters. Safety promotion is also accomplished through continuous improvement. As hazards are identified, risks determined and mitigated through corrective actions, system improvements through training and revised policies and procedures, then follow-up begins the safety process over again.

SMS does not have to complicated or expensive. You just need to evaluate your company’s operations and associated risks. You then need to use this information to determine how you will meet the four required elements. Actually the less complicated your system is, the more likely people will get involved which will help to ensure the success of the program.