International Helicopter Safety Team Safety Management System Toolkit

CHAPTER 2:
SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM ELEMENTS
This chapter identifies the requirements associated with each of the fundamental
SMS elements. Successful safety management systems are tailored to fit the size,
nature and complexity of an organization. Although the details and level of
documentation of an SMS may vary, respecting fundamental elements will assist
in ensuring the SMS is effective for any organization.
A safety management system is a systematic,
explicit and comprehensive process for the
management of safety risks that integrates operations
and technical systems, along with financial
and human resource management for all activities
related to any aviation operator or an approved
maintenance organization’s certificate.
Safety management is woven into the fabric of an
organization. It becomes part of the culture -- the way
people do their jobs. The organizational structures
and activities that make up a safety management
system are found throughout an organization. Every
employee contributes to the safety health of the organization.
In some organizations, safety management
activity will be more visible than in others, but the
system must be integrated into “the way things are
done.” This will be achieved by the implementation
and continuing support of a safety program based on
coherent policies and procedures.
Safety Policy
It is recommended that the safety policy include a
description of each element of the system. This would
resemble the description of other systems as detailed
in a maintenance control manual, maintenance policy
manual or an organization’s operations manual.
The safety policy should state that safety has the
highest priority. It is the accountable manager's
way of establishing the importance of safety as it
relates to the overall scope of operations. Leadership
sets the tone.
Senior management commitment will not lead to
positive action unless commitment is expressed as
direction. Management must develop and communicate
safety policies that delegate specific responsibilities
and hold people accountable for meeting safety
performance goals.
Safety Intentions
An organization’s safety policy should clearly
state the organization’s intentions, management principles
and aspirations for continuous improvements
in safety. This can be achieved through documented
policies describing what organizational processes
and structures it will use to achieve the safety
management system. This should also contain a
statement outlining the organization’s objectives and
the outcomes it hopes to achieve through its safety
management system.
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