International Helicopter Safety Team Safety Management System Toolkit

INTRODUCTION
The implementation of a safety management system
represents a fundamental shift in the way the organization
does business. Safety management systems
require organizations to adopt and actively manage
the elements detailed in this document and to incorporate
them into their everyday business or organization
practices. In effect, safety becomes an integral part of
the everyday operations of the organization and is no
longer considered an adjunct function belonging to
the safety office.
The word system means “to bring together or
combine.” This is not a new term. The philosopher
Aristotle first identified systems. SMS involves the
transfer of some of the responsibilities for aviation
safety issues from the regulator to the individual
organization. This is a role shift in which the regulator
oversees the effectiveness of the safety
management system but withdraws from day-to-day
involvement in the organizations it regulates. The
day-to-day issues are discovered, analyzed and
corrected internally by the organizations.
From the organization’s perspective, the success
of the system hinges on the development of a safety
culture that promotes open reporting through nonpunitive
disciplinary policies and continual
improvement through proactive safety assessments
and quality assurance.
In aviation, the accident rate has reached a
plateau, and new methods are needed to drive the
accident rate down. SMS recognizes that this will only
happen when we clearly see safety as part of the
system and understand how safety interacts with the
other elements of the organization.
The safety management system philosophy requires
that responsibility and accountability for safety be
retained within the management structure of the
organization. Management is ultimately responsible
for safety, as they are for other aspects of the enterprise.
The responsibility for safety, however, resides
with every member of the organization. In safety
management, everyone has a role to play.
Regardless of the size and complexity of an organization,
senior management will have a significant role
in developing and sustaining an organization safety
culture. Without the sincere, unconditional commitment
of all levels of management, any attempt at an effective
safety program will be unsuccessful. Safety
management requires the time, financial resources
and consideration that only the senior management
can provide.
Some examples of management commitment and
support may be: discussing safety matters as the first
priority during staff meetings, participating in safety
committees and reviews, allocating the necessary
resources such as time and money to safety matters,
and setting a personal example.
However it is manifested, the importance of
support from management cannot be underestimated.
Worldwide
Helicopter Accidents per Year 1991 to 2005
600
500
400
Accident Count
300
200
100
0
Source – Bell Helicopter
91
92
Year
93
94
US
95
Civil
96
US
97
98
Militar y
99
00
01
Non US
02
03
04
Civil and Militar y
05
SMS Toolkit 1