An SMS is a structured approach that organizations use to manage risks and create a safe work environment, the SMS is a collection of policies, procedures, and activities that work together to proactively identify hazards, assess risks, and implement controls to minimize the chances of accidents or injuries.
An SMS comprises four functional pillars:
- Safety Policy
- Policy Statement
- Safety Objectives and Metrics
- Roles and Responsibilities
- Reporting
- Safety Risk Management (SRM)
- Hazard Identification
- Safety Risk Analysis/Assessment
- Mitigation
- Safety Assurance (SA)
- Monitoring
- Audits/Assessments
- Continuous Improvement
- Safety Promotion
- Culture
- Communication
- Training
- Education
An SMS involves:
- A Proactive Approach
- An SMS goes beyond reacting to accidents and focuses on preventing them by identifying risks beforehand.
- Systematic Processes
- The system lays out clear procedures and practices for safety management, ensuring consistency across the airport’s operations.
- Safety Culture
- An SMS fosters a work environment where everyone feels empowered to report safety concerns and contribute to a safe work environment.
An SMS aims to continuously improve safety by:
- Identifying safety hazards like runway incursions, wildlife strikes, or foreign object debris on the runway.
- Assessing the risks associated with these hazards.
- Implementing controls to mitigate those risks.
- Monitoring and auditing the effectiveness of these controls.