Chapter 5
SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (SMS)
5.1 INTRODUCTION
5.1.1 An SMS is a system to assure the safe operation of aircraft through effective management of safety risk. This system is designed to continuously improve safety by identifying hazards, collecting and analysing data and continuously assessing safety risks. The SMS seeks to proactively contain or mitigate risks before they result in aviation accidents and incidents. It is a system that is commensurate with the organization’s regulatory obligations and safety goals.
5.1.2 SMS is necessary for an aviation organization to identify hazards and manage safety risks encountered during the delivery of its products or services. An SMS includes key elements that are essential for hazard identification and safety risk management by ensuring that:
a) the necessary information is available;
b) the appropriate tools are available for the organization’s use;
c) the tools are appropriate to the task;
d) the tools are commensurate with the needs and constraints of the organization; and
e) decisions are made based on full consideration of the safety risk.
5.2 SCOPE
SMS addresses the aviation activities of an aviation service provider that are related to the safe operation of aircraft. The scope of an SMS may indirectly include other organizational activities that support operational or product development, such as finance, human resources and legal. It is therefore essential to involve all internal and external aviation system stakeholders having a potential impact on the organization’s safety performance. Furthermore, any potential inputs should be taken into consideration at an early stage of SMS implementation and throughout future internal evaluations of the SMS. The following stakeholders may provide inputs to service providers depending upon their potential impact on safety performance:
a) aviation professionals;
b) aviation regulatory and administrative authorities;
c) industry trade associations;
d) professional associations and federations;
e) international aviation organizations;
f) subcontractors or principals of a service provider; and
g) the flying public.