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Now
that we understand the word safety, and who should be responsible for managing
safety, we can examine how a systems approach differs from the traditional approach
to managing safety. In today’s world, almost every aspect of our lives functions
within some form of system. A system can be either simple or complex, but what
remains consistent with all systems is that the components within the system
work together within a framework to achieve a unified goal. For example, let’s
examine the jet aircraft that operate on your airfields. They are engineered
with wheels, radios, control surfaces, hydraulics, and turbine engines, as part
of its structural components. Those components interface with humans (flight crews) which are also considered in the system at the time of
design. The pilot’s role is to operate the aircraft controls in a safe manner
so that all components of the system may function thru each phase of flight ending
in a safe landing. In the same respect the airport organizations safety system
includes items such as policies, procedures, manuals, inspections,
investigations, equipment, vehicles, tools, and the list goes on and on. SMS integrates a safety process into every
aspect of the airport work system. The process of safety system management adopts
the Plan Do Check Act cycle PDCA deriving from the ISO 9001 standard of quality
management. The focus is shifted in the safety application to risk reduction.
In quality management the focus is on consumer
satisfaction and efficient production of goods and services. PDCA enables your
airport organization to manage safety thru physical dynamic action in a
documented process as opposed to static rules and regulations. The illustration
to above is a pictorial example of William Edwards Demming PDCA model of
continuous improvement. The steps of the PDCA cycle will be explained in detail
in my next SMS series. The goal of safety systems management is the integration
of continuously improving all the components of the safety system with
management as the leading force. The components of the safety system have been
called the four pillars. The four pillars are safety policy, safety risk
management, safety assurance, and safety promotion. I will give a more in-depth
explanation on the four pillars in a later post. For now, safety policy can be
explained as the airport management’s commitment and active demonstration of
safety as a core value, and mission. Safety risk management is an active process
of controlling the airports prioritized risk. Safety assurance is an
operational control of risk, usually through inspections, audits, reporting,
and investigations. Safety promotion is usually accomplished through training efforts
but can also involve the communication of audit findings, implemented corrective
actions, and findings of risk assessments.
In
contrast, traditional approaches to safety management focuses on preventative
controls and training to help mitigate workplace hazards
Airports should consider transforming all
safety efforts to a systems management approach. The goal is proactive and even
predictive safety management. After a short maturation period the SMS manager
will be able to predict where the accidents will occur and focus the safety efforts
in those areas. This requires a tremendous cultural change effort, patience,
and discipline.
References
Jones, C. (2001). CHALLENGING THE TRADITIONAL
APPROACH TO SAFETY MANAGEMENT AND HOW LEADERSHIP BEHAVIOR AFFECTS SAFETY
PERFORMANCE . International Gas Union, 6.
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