Why You Need a Safety Management System

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

Why do you need a Safety Management System (SMS)? In the spirit of simplicity, if you operate a turbine-powered airplane, it’s the law.

This statement is not completely accurate, but it is very close.

ICAO Amendment 27

On March 7th, 2008, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) adopted an amendment to Annex 6 Part II, which introduces the requirement for operations manuals, safety management systems, training programs and fatigue management programs for turbo-jet powered aircraft and aircraft over 5,700 kgs (12,500 lbs).

Relevance of the ICAO Amendment

On December 7, 1944 in Chicago, Illinois, the Convention on International Civil Aviation, also known as the Chicago Convention, established ICAO as a specialized agency of the United Nations charged with coordinating and regulating international air travel. The Convention establishes rules of airspace, aircraft registration and safety, and details the rights and responsibilities of the signatories in relation to air travel.

What this means in simple terms, as it applies to SMS requirements, is that each State that is signatory agrees to operate in compliance with the regulatory requirements of the State in which the operation takes place or in compliance with the regulatory requirements of the State of aircraft registration, whichever is most restrictive.

SMS implementation deadline

The ICAO requirement for SMS implantation for all applicable operators is November 18, 2010. States may register differences with ICAO as they may apply to the rule, implantation date, etc.

It’s not just the law, its good business

Nearly every business sector has standards and measures. Process management and quality assurance programs have become standard business practices. Until recently, business aviation was seemingly exempt from these requirements.

Many corporate quality assurance programs find their roots in the ISO Standards, which weigh heavily on process management and documented business results.  The SMS provides business aircraft operators a viable framework since it was derived almost directly from ISO 9001-2000.

Shifting the focus

The traditional focus on safety has been reactive. Learning came from questions asked after an event occurrence. Investigations ultimately centered on human error and the activity of line personal.

The SMS provides an alternative understanding by examining the total context of the operational system. It shifts the focus from human error to human factors. More on this in a future article.