What is a Safety Management System

This article is the first in a series to simplify the understanding of the SMS processes. The entire series can be found here.

One of the more complicated aspects of understanding what a Safety Management System (SMS) is about is wading through the myriad of overly complex definitions of safety, safety systems, safety assurance etc.

ICAO defines safety as the state in which the possibility of harm to persons or of property damage is reduced to, and maintained at or below, an acceptable level through a continuing process of hazard identification and safety risk management.

IBAC, via the IS-BAO Standard, defines safety as the state in which the risk of harm to persons or damage to property is reduced to, and maintained at or below, an acceptable level through a continuing process of hazard identification and risk management.

Let’s keep it simple

Safety is “an effort to not break anything or not hurt anybody.”  Don’t let this simplification lead you to believe that not breaking anything or not hurting anyone is the same as operating safely.  There is a difference between being successful and being safe.

The key part of my definition of safety is “an effort.”  Managing your safety effort is the role of the SMS.  Again, you are provided with a multitude of complicated definitions.  This time for processes, procedures, systems, programs, etc.

Let’s continue to keep it simple

An SMS is a toolbox.  The tools in your box depend on what you need to accomplish.  ICAO and IS-BAO refer to this as appropriate for the operational environment.  You have tools for use in day-to-day operations.  You keep these in a handy place.  You also have tools that you rarely use, if ever.  Not likely many people know how to use these tools or if they even work correctly.

The SMS provides a strategy for organizing your tools

This is where you open up your toolbox (the SMS) and put your most useful tools (standard policies, SOPs, regulations, etc.) in the top drawer.  You clean up and calibrate the seldom used but necessary tools (OSHA, emergency action plan, etc.) and get rid of the old tools you never use (outdated policies, policies requiring work-around, etc.).  To make the job easier, safer, more efficient, you add a couple of new tools (hazard reporting, risk analysis, etc.).

What tools should you have in your tool box

This takes you back to the ICAO and IS-BAO statement; appropriate for the operational environment.  Most operators already have many of the required tools.  What is usually missing is the documentation and linkages.  I will cover this in a future article.