Aviation Safety Management Systems

A Safety Management System (SMS) is now a requirement for international commercial aircraft operators, international airports, and air traffic services. The standards and implementing procedures for SMS have been established by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). All 191 countries that are members of ICAO have established or are establishing regulatory requirements for the implementation of SMS. This course teaches how organizations can establish a SMS within the context of their current safety system that meets the basic international standards of ICAO. The SMS Framework serves as a central foundation for this course.

SMS is a safety system by which an organization takes a more active role in the identification, analysis and mitigation of safety issues that occur in the normal operation of their organization. SMS requires that organizational management take responsibility for the company’s safety program. The SMS approach requires the safety/quality team be educated in their duties and responsibilities. This course will provide you with the essential skills needed to manage an organizational Safety Management System (SMS). The attendee will be able to manage a Safety Management System that includes risk management, audits, data collection, analysis, and incident investigations.

This course is designed for the individual responsible for planning or directing an aviation Safety Management System program. Fundamentals in systems organization and structure provide the individual with the essential skills and methodology needed to plan and manage an effective program. Emphasis is placed on understanding the principles of risk management, identifying program development strategies, audits and applying the knowledge toward effective management systems and interoperability with Quality Assurance.

Objectives: To provide the individual with the skills and practical methods to plan, manage and maintain an effective Aviation Safety Management System (SMS).

Who Should Attend: Individuals responsible for planning, directing or managing an aviation safety program and supervisors who are required to supervise an accident prevention/risk management program. This includes airline, commuter, corporate, fixed base operator, government, insurance, hospital emergency medical service, law enforcement and airport management.

Course Outline

1. Safety Management Systems (SMS)
       Accident Prevention Concepts/Methods
       Safety Systems
       Safety Risk Management
       The Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) Process
       Human Factors
       Root Cause Analysis
       International Procedures
       Interaction with Quality Assurance
       Education and Training
       Corporate Safety Culture
       Motivating Safe Behavior
       Role of Management
       Safety Climates/Management Styles
       Cost of Accidents
       Risk Identification
       Incident Investigation
       Change Management Process
       Risk Management and Risk Assessment
       Report Writing
       Airfield Safety
       Accident Response Planning
       Audits
       Safety Analysis
       Aviation Safety Advisor Duties
       SMS Framework
2. Communication Skills
        The Importance of Communication in Aviation Safety
        A Matrix Approach to Communication in Aviation Safety
        Perception
        Meaning/Language/Jargon
        Information Overload
        Managing Conflict
        Listening
3. Medical Issues
        Fatigue Risk Management Systems
        Sleep and Fatigue
        Stress
4. Ramp/Maintenance Safety
5. Legal Aspects
        ICAO Annexes 6 and 14
        ICAO Doc. 9859
        FAA 14 CFR 5
6. Practical Applications/Case Study