Question

describe how you would implement a safety management system if you were appointed by an airline ( you must include steps of implementation and discuss about the pillars of SMS) 500-600 words

Answer 1

Six tips to implement a safety management system are as:-

1. Secure the commitment of senior management- setting up one of these systems takes between 12 and 24 months, and it could be another 18 months before you start to see results. Senior management commitment is necessary to keep the project going.

2. Audit your existing safety procedures and practices against those that will be required under the standard so you know what to focus on first.

3. Set up an implementation team who can focuse on the project and keep it moving.

4. Make sure roles, time line and responsibilities are clearly outlined and tracked.

5. Get your employees involved by offering communication, training and incentives.

6. Review your management system on an ongoing basis so that you can continously improve.

There are four pillers are:-

Piller 1. Safety Policy and Objectives

* Management commitment and responsibility

The commitment of the senior management to safety is reflected in a policy statement, which is signed by the Accountable Executive.

* Safety accountabilities

A statement of accountabilities clearly define the safety responsibilities of managers and employees at different levels in the organization, with an effective deputation of responsibilities established for operationally critical areas when principal office holders are absent.

* Coordination of emergency response planning

Service providers implement an Emergency Response Program (ERP) that includes contingency plans to ensure proper response throughout the organization when an emergency situation arises. That may not necessarily involve an actual aircraft accident but should include a business continuity contingency plan.

* SMS Documentation

Safety management activities must be documented appropriately and be avaiable to all employees.

Piller 2. Safety Risk Management

* Hazard identification

The airline must maintain processes that ensure that operational hazards are identified for all operational activities. Hazard identification is typically based on a combination of reactive, proactive, and predictive safety management methods.

* Risk assessment and mitigation

Individual hazards are analyzed; their consequences are assessed and communicated throughout the organization. Mitigation actions must be developed for those hazards presenting unacceptable operational risk.

Piller 3. Safety Assurance

* Safety performance monitoring and measurement

safety assurance activities focus on assessing the health of the organization, with an emphasis on safety. specific goals for improvements in all areas should be set for all senior operational managers. Safety assurance should include monitoring of external sources of safety information and include participation in regional safety groups or safety data sharing organization.

* Management of Change

External or internal changes may introduce new hazards to operational activities. processes must exist to manage organization responses to regulatory changes, major changes in operational procedures, or new activities such as new airport destinations.

* Continuous improvement of the SMS program

Safety assurance utilizes quality tools such as internal evaluations or independent audits to assess organizational health from a safety perspective. Onsite assessments of operational management systems on a recurring basis provide oppertunities for continous improvement of processess and procedures for each functional area of the airline.

Pillar 4. safety promotion

* Training and education

operators must identify safety training requirements for each level of management and for each employees group. safety training for operational personnel should address safety responsibilities, including complying with all operating and safety procedures, recognizing and reporting hazards, and ultimately ensuring that employees have the knowledge and skills to safely complete work activities.

* Safety communication

Communication of safety information is a key responsibility of the safety Manager. continous improvement and learning are accomplished through the sharing of lessons learned from investigations, hazard report analysis, and operational safety assessments.