International Helicopter Safety Team Safety Management System Toolkit

Key Safety Personnel
Top management has the ultimate responsibility for
the SMS and should provide the resources essential to
implement and maintain the SMS. Top management
should appoint a member of management, such as the
Safety Manager, who, irrespective of other responsibilities,
has responsibilities and authority including:
Ensuring the processes needed for the SMS are
established, implemented and maintained.
Reporting to top management on the performance
of the SMS and the need for improvement.
Ensuring the promotion of awareness of safety
requirements throughout the organization.
Ensuring that aviation safety-related positions,
responsibilities, and authorities are defined,
documented and communicated throughout
the organization.
Performance Objective: The organization will appoint a management representative to manage,
monitor and coordinate the SMS processes throughout its organization.
KEY SAFETY PERSONNEL TABLE
The following table is extracted from the FAA SMS Program Office Assurance Guide.
Management Responsibility/Procedure
Did top management appoint a member of management who, irrespective of other responsibilities, will be
responsible and authorized to -
Ensure that SMS processes are established, implemented, and maintained?
SMS Framework 1.3 B) 1) a) Old - SMS Standard 4.5 C) 1 (P)
Report to top management on the performance of the SMS and what needs to be improved?
SMS Framework 1.3 B) 1) b) Old - SMS Standard 4.5 C) 2 (I/P)
Ensure the organization communicates its safety requirements throughout the organization?
SMS Framework 1.3 B) 1) c) Old - SMS Standard 4.5 C) 3 (I/P)
Outputs and Measures
Does the organization ensure that Key Safety Personnel positions, responsibilities, and authorities are communicated
throughout the organization? SMS Framework 1.2 B) 3) c) Old – SMS Standard 4.5 D) 3 (P) — (I/R/A)
Does the organization periodically measure performance objectives and design expectations of the key safety
personnel element? See note at 3.1.3 & SMS Framework 1.0 B) 2) c) and 3) c) 3.1.3 B) 1) Old – SMS Standard
4.1 B) & C) 6.3.2 A) and 6.3.3 (PM/I)
Bottom Line Assessment
Has the organization appointed a management representative to manage, monitor and coordinate the SMS processes
throughout its organization?
Emergency Preparedness
and Response
An emergency is an event that is, by its very
nature, high risk for victims at the immediate scene,
and also for first responders and those assisting those
responders. An Emergency Response Plan (ERP) exists
to control the organizational response to the emergency
so as to minimize the risk for all facets of the
operation. An ERP is a control mechanism.
Emergency Response Plan (ERP)
An ERP outlines in writing what is done when
an emergency occurs, what to do after an accident
happens and who is responsible for each action.
The better prepared an organization is for an
emergency, the better the chances are that injuries
to personnel and damage to equipment, property
or the environment can be minimized.
The plan should be readily available at the
work stations of those that may be the first to be
notified or required to respond and should be:
22 SMS Toolkit