b'42 OPERATIONSSafety Management Systems: Lessons from the Airline SectorBY JODI RICHARDS In Part One of our two-part series, we examine the roots of Safety Management Systemsat commercial airlines. Next issue, well profile airports that are developing their own programs.Nearly a decade ago, the FAA Safety Organization issuedpart of something and build it, than to have something built around a final rule requiring Part 121 certificated operators you and then have to work toward it. scheduled commercial airlinesto implement SafetyThat was Morells take during his time with US Airways, and he Management Plans. The goal was to help carriers detect and correctthen served in a similar role with American Airlines. Now, Morell safety risks before they become hazards.is even further entrenched in the subject of safety in his business When issuing the rule in January 2015, the agency defineddevelopment role at ProDIGIQ, a company that develops SMS a safety management system (SMS) as an organization-widesoftware and a broad range of other technology systems for the comprehensive and preventive approach to managing safety. Itaviation industry. also identified four necessary components: In February 2023, FAA published its final rule on SMS for Parta safety policy,139 certificated airports. As airport operators work to meet theformal methods for identifying hazards and mitigating risks,requirement, they can gain perspective and learn lessons fromassuring safety performance andairlines that have already navigated the process.promoting a positive safety culture.Underlying PhilosophiesDeveloped with input from an SMS AviationPer FAA, the foundational elements of SMS are: Rulemaking Committee and public comments, the requirement was based on lessons learnedInterdependence: There is a strong correlation between safety from Flight Standards SMS pilot projects.culture and accident prevention. Managements constant attention, Republic Airways started its SMS journey incommitment and visible leadership are essential to guiding an 2011, when it participated in one of the FAAorganization toward a positive safety performance.pilot programs. It was an interesting process,Safety Culture: It takes time, practice and repetition, the and there were a lot of moving pieces, recallsBRADLEY ELSTAD appropriate attitude, a cohesive approach and constant coaching Bradley Elstad, the airlines vice president offrom involved mentors.Corporate Safety, Security and Compliance.Management Framework: A safety culture matures as safety Paul Morell, vice president of Safety,management skills are learned and practiced and become second Security and Regulatory Compliance withnature across an organization.US Airways at the time, credits FAA for usingInvolvement From Management: Airport leaders should a highly cooperative voluntary program todemonstrate their commitment to and involvement in safe introduce airlines to the concept of SMS. Asoperations. Safety cultures cannot be created or implemented he explains it, US Airways worked with FAA onby decree; management must set up policies and processes that a pilot program because, its better to be aPAUL MORELL create a working environment that fosters safe behavior. May | June 2024AirportImprovement.com'