b'40 DAL|SMF OPERATIONSWhile the airport has implemented some pieces of its SMS, others are still pending. Escalon notes that DAL is one of the few airports to include occupational safety in its SMS program, applying it to terminal areas and remote buildings. The program also covers Dallas Executive Airport and the elevated Dallas Heliport/Vertiport, which are also operated by the city. Positive ResultsAccording to FAA, an SMS provides the framework to support a positive safety culture and includes repeatable and systematic processes to proactively manage safety. Furthermore, decision-makingForeign object debris is one of many safety issues that SMF tracks.processes are structured, consistent, defendable, measurable and data driven.firsthand how an effective SMS canlearn from their experiences. Ive learned Hazards are identified and safety riskbenefit them. We see a new safetya lot from my peers and have been able to controls are implemented before an accidentculture starting now, Centeno reports.incorporate their lessons learned and best or incident occurs. Safety assuranceSharing information with internal andpractices into our program, he relates. processes provide a means for continuousexternal stakeholders is extremelyCenteno says that DAL has received safety oversight, allowing for efficient,important, he adds. phenomenal guidance and support from smooth and safe airfield operations. From a management aspect, CentenoFAA partners and advises other airports At SMF, the new regulatory requirementnotes that SMS lowers liabilities and coststo work with their local FAA inspectors. is having a positive effect on the safetybecause the airport is identifying issuesHe also suggests reaching out to airport culture and is encouraging furtherbefore they become hazards. Its a bigcolleagues who have already been engagement on the issue. It increasesimprovement for operations. through the process.employee morale and motivation,Fundamentally, safety improves when Reichel reports. Once employees seeCollaboration is Critical airports and airlines work together to that reporting a hazard leads to positiveCenteno and Reichel recommendresolve safety issues, adds Landry. action and makes their job safer, they willparticipating in industry workshopsThe most effective way I have seen be more motivated to report, he explains.and working collaboratively with otherthe collaboration work is through safety If youre fixing things, it makes them feelairports and FAA when developing andworking groups and committees, recurring good and gives the SMS credibility. implementing an SMS.meetings, logging and tracking safety The reduction of risks associated withCenteno emphasizes the importance ofissues and creating work groups that foreign object debris (FOD) had beencollaboration, even though every airportassess and resolve the issues together. particularly noticeable. In 2018, the airportis unique and faces its own distinctOpen sharing among airports has been averaged 267 pounds of FOD per month.challenges. Airports can learn from oneimmeasurably beneficial, she adds.In 2023, with SMS components beinganother, but the strategies for internal andReichel encourages SMS managers implemented, it averaged just 128 poundsexternal collaboration will differ for each,to complete SMS training from sources per month. Over the years, we were ablehe explains.like AAAE and USC Viterbi. He also to really, really energize our tenants, andSMS improves collaboration forrecommends The Effective Facilitator by weve got tons of support now, Reichelidentifying and mitigating safety issues,Leadership Strategies to help new SMS explains. Thats a big win.says Reichel, again noting the need formanagers with formal risk assessments. Leaders at DAL are similarly optimisticinternal and external collaboration.[It] gives some valuable insight on how about the effect SMS has had on theFor airports unsure where to begin,to facilitate a meeting with multiple airportespecially employee morale andReichel says the implementation plan inparticipants, he notes. performance. I see more opportunitiesAdvisory Circular 150/5200-37A lays outTraining and resources are critical because of SMS, and we are excited asall the requirements and is a great placeto success, Landry agrees. Someone a team, says Centeno. Everyone wantsto start. If you follow Appendix C of thisdoesnt become an SMS expert overnight. to be recognized and supports the data- AC and build your plans based on it, youllThe most effective way weve seen is driven system. have a compliant program, he assures.education and skills development through Communication, collaboration andReichel also suggests reaching out toworkshops and case studies. action have allowed employees to seeother airports to create networks and July | August 2024AirportImprovement.com'