Safety is paramount when it comes to aviation operations. The many regulations and systems make it the secure structure the aviation industry is now.
But the industry is still relatively young in regards to travel. Slowly it is changing from the ineffective reactive strategies of the past to the proactive planning of the future.
Argus Pros audits and examines many facets of the aviation industry, and one of their yearly releases examines Safety Management System (SMS) deficiencies. A total of 84 audits were done for the year of 2014, and Argus Pros found a number of areas with high deficiency probability within the realms of an SMS.
The three worst areas in terms of errors were the Internal Evaluation Programs (IEP), Risk Assessment, and Safety Management System Training. The three all had a deficiency probability above 67 percent, with IEP being the highest at 81 percent. The remaining areas of SMS almost all had a deficiency probability over 33 percent, with only five of the listed fifteen areas having below that.
For each deficiency, multiple solutions and strategies were put forward to help those who were lacking in the specific areas.
Argus Pros found a few ways to improve the Internal Evaluation Program. They suggest that all the processes involved be documented thoroughly, all auditors to be properly trained in their duties, and everything is operated following the Safety Management System manual.
The deficiencies in Risk Assessment can be remedied through the proper application of strategies when new changes are made to the company, environment, procedures or even the current level of risk, according to Argus Pros. In turn, organization policy may change or new procedures could be created due to Risk Assessment.
Safety Management System Training would ensure th¬at all employees are properly trained in how to use and utilize all the aspects of Safety Management Systems. Annual safety training for employees is necessary, according to Argus Pros. Training should include how to perform root cause analysis, the staff needs to be aware of how to investigate aircraft accidents, report, and track hazards and always perform risk assessment and analysis.
Training for such should be done right away and regularly, either in a class, through the Internet or another venue. This will ensure that everybody is trained to guideline and industry standards and are capable employees.
These numbers may seem frightening at first, but the fact that we know of the deficiencies will allow us to work towards a better future. A more structured safety system is also being pushed to the forefront with new rulings coming into effect, such as the ruling passed by the FAA requiring 14 CRF Part 121 air carriers to implement a Safety Management System under their rules and regulations.
These changes point towards an ultimately brighter and safer future of aviation as the systems mature into using proactive methods instead of reactive ones – ensuring that flights will be as safe as can be for all travellers throughout the year.
For more information, click here read the 2014 Safety Management System Audit results that Argus Pros released.