Aviation SMS (Safety Management System) program is a set of tools and processes to manage aviation safety that is organized in four components, or commonly called the four pillars in aviation SMS:
- Safety Policy,
- Safety Risk Management,
- Safety Assurance,
- Safety Promotion.
If any of these pillars lack, it is obvious that your SMS is incomplete.
As an aviation professional, you probably know that having SMS is not something you can decide whether to have it or not. Moreover, the fact is that Aviation SMS programs are mandatory by regulations. It is advised to follow ICAO standards, or to be specific Doc 9859 – The Safety Management Manual, which now has four editions.
With good, functioning and reliable SMS, airlines or airports can become more capable to predict many hazardous events and prevent it on time. Sure, good SMS will cost you more money than just monitoring your safety on paper or Excel sheet. Is it worth it? No doubt, the answer is yes. Just imagine what one fatal accident could do to your company. If we talk about numbers that kind of mistake could cost you big time, in most cases that mean not only losing a lot of money but also decrease of popularity and trust among customers.
The 21st century brought technology in every field of life, so as in aviation. Simplifying job procedures brings more efficiency and make life easier for employees. Modern SMS program needs to be simple, easy to use, fast and efficient. Aviation SMS program through safety (reporting, risk management, strategy, training, and emergency response module) and quality modules (audits, inspection, promotion, meetings and documentation module) can bring you numerous advantages. For instance, with using modern SMS software you can always be sure that your airline, airport, etc. comply with the latest regulations, you can achieve greater consistency in your operations, improve your safety culture and communication between your employees and the management. SMS needs to bring together safety, quality, business, financial and employee benefits.
That means:
- Improving safety culture,
- Reducing expensive mistakes,
- Increasing efficiency,
- Bringing stability in business
- Bringing flexibility in organization
- Bringing greater image for your brand among customers and media.
Good SMS program should improve teamwork and communication between employees and management, work quality conditions and satisfaction and also reduce lost time due to incidents.
Finally, it is extremely important to point out that every airline, airport, etc. is different and have its own needs. Choose reliable SMS that is capable to adapt to your company’s needs. Be the creator of your own aviation SMS program, choose which module you need and be sure you have good and efficient SMS.
