Aviation Safety And Security Systems
What is a Safety Management System (SMS)?
How have SMS evolved over time?
Sample Solution
A Safety Management System (SMS) is a systematic approach to managing safety risks. It is a set of interrelated or interacting elements that, together, establish the organization's overall safety policy and objectives, and the processes and procedures for achieving those objectives.Full Answer Section
- Safety policy: The organization's overall safety policy should be clear, concise, and communicated to all employees.
- Safety objectives: The organization should set specific safety objectives that are measurable and achievable.
- Safety risk assessment: The organization should regularly assess its safety risks and take steps to mitigate those risks.
- Safety procedures: The organization should have clear and concise safety procedures in place.
- Safety training: The organization should provide all employees with safety training.
- Safety monitoring and review: The organization should regularly monitor and review its SMS to ensure that it is effective.
- The increasing complexity of work: The work environment has become increasingly complex, which has led to an increase in safety risks.
- The changing nature of work: The nature of work has changed, with more people working in remote and/or globalized environments. This has made it more difficult to manage safety risks.
- The increasing awareness of safety risks: There is a growing awareness of the importance of safety, and this has led to a demand for more effective SMS.
- In the past, SMS were often focused on reactive measures, such as investigating accidents after they occurred. However, SMS have evolved to focus on proactive measures, such as identifying and mitigating safety risks before they lead to accidents.
- In the past, SMS were often siloed from other management systems, such as quality management systems. However, SMS have evolved to be more integrated with other management systems, which has made them more effective.
- In the past, SMS were often implemented on a voluntary basis. However, SMS are now increasingly being mandated by regulators, which has made them more widespread.