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Info-Airport's technology addresses SMS requirements for Safety Assurance and Safety Promotion.
Recent pressures from International Civil Aviation Organization have caused the FAA to initiate a ruling. “The International Civil Aviation Organization has adopted a requirement that commercial airport operators implement a safety management system, or SMS. To meet that requirement, the FAA has initiated a rulemaking project to propose that U.S. airports certificated under Part 139 be required to develop and maintain an SMS. A notice of proposed rulemaking is anticipated in 2007.”1
“Safety Management System (SMS) – The formal, top-down business-like approach to managing safety risk. It includes systematic procedures, practices, and policies for the management of safety (including safety risk management, safety policy, safety assurance, and safety promotion).
The process of formal documentation clarifies the relationship of the SMS to other organizational functions and the integration of SMS activities. Further, the documentation process defines how SMS activities relate to the organization’s operating policies. The contents of this documentation may be in the form of safety reporting records, surveys, hazard reporting forms, and risk analysis/mitigation processes. It is important that the organization maintain a record of the measures taken to fulfill the objectives of the SMS.”2
As a result of the ruling, the FAA has issued an Advisory Circular entitled Introduction to Safety Management Systems (SMS) for Airport Operators in which the FAA is calling for much more vigilance and compliance in reporting through the use of a safety management system, or SMS. The FAA is encouraging an industry-wide improvement in safety through the implementation of new and more efficient means to enhance current airport management systems.
“Acknowledge the existing requirements of 14 CFR Part 139 and avoid duplication of safety programs”3
Safety Assurance
“In addition to the airport operator’s existing responsibilities for self-inspection and correction of discrepancies under 14 CFR Part 139, an effective airport SMS audit program should:
Monitor adherence to safety policy through self-auditing
Systematically review all available feedback from daily self-inspections, assessments, reports, safety risk analysis, and safety audits
Communicate findings to staff and implement agreed-upon mitigation strategies (14 CFR Part 139 already requires this for actions covered by that regulation)
Promote integration of a systems approach to safety into the overall operation of the airport”4
Safety Promotion
“Safety Promotion includes:
Training and education
Safety communication
The Safety Manager provides current information and training relating to safety issues relevant to the specific operation of the airport. The provision of appropriate training to all staff, regardless of their level in the organization, is an indication of management’s commitment to an effective SMS. Safety training and education should consist of the following:
A documented process to identify training requirements
A validation process that measures the effectiveness of training
Initial (general safety) job-specific training
Recurrent safety training
Training requirements and activities should be documented for each area of activity within the organization. A training file should be developed for each employee, including management, to assist in identifying and tracking employee training requirements and verifying that the personnel have received the planned training.”5
Reference
1. Page 25 of the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS) (2007-2011) Report of the Secretary of Transportation to the United States Congress Pursuant to Section 47103 of Title 49, United States Code.
2. Page 1 of Advisory Circular, AC 150/5200-37, February 28, 2007, Introduction to Safety Management Systems (SMS) for Airport Operators
3. Ibid, Page 1 of cover letter.
4. Ibid, Page 6.
5. Ibid, Page 7.
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