AVIATION SAFETY

HAVE A SAFE FLIGHT

MIKE LITSON, CEO of Litson & Associates, discusses the complexities of aviation safety

In aviation, safety is no different to any other industry sector when assessed in terms of risk and risk mitigation. However, a possible difference may be that aviation is particularly unforgiving if we get it wrong. The old saying, “I would rather be down here wishing I was up there, than up there, wishing I was down here”, comes to mind when talking about aviation safety.

MANY HANDS MAKE AIRCRAFT SAFE

Tens of thousands of people around the world are involved either directly or indirectly in making aviation as safe as possible. Aviation safety managers and safety offi cers are trained to implement the ICAO mandated aviation Safety Management System (SMS), which consists of four pillars and twelve elements of safety. This aviation SMS model is used globally and all countries’ civil aviation authorities are required to ensure that their airlines and nonscheduled aircraft operators implement nonscheduled aircraft operators implement SMS accordingly.

So, while safety managers So, while safety managers and offi cers are at the forefront and offi cers are at the forefront of making aviation as safe as of making aviation as safe as possible, there are many other possible, there are many other levels of participation in the levels of participation in the safety effort. From the safety effort. From the accountable managers accountable managers (CEOs and MDs) who (CEOs and MDs) who sign the company safety policy and ensure it is implemented, down through the ranks of senior and middle management to the supervisors who are responsible for ensuring that their departments and sections operate safely, everyone has a role to play.

Then there are the millions of people employed in the industry whose core ethic is to work safely. Working safely and ensuring that an aeroplane or helicopter returns safely after every fl ight is in the DNA of everyone who works in the aviation industry, no matter their role. Consider that one loose bolt in a safety-critical area can bring an aircraft down, yet day after day, thousands of aircraft land safely because the whole aviation sector workforce is fi rmly focused on working safely. Yes, there are mishaps and lives are lost very occasionally, but we continue to learn from every accident and then fi ne-tune manufacturing processes and aircraft operator policies and procedures. policies and procedures.

THE SKY’S THE LIMIT FOR AFRICAN OPERATORS

There are some other sectors where safety is paramount, such as in underground mining, paramount, such as in underground mining, and others that involve the transportation and others that involve the transportation of people, for example, bus, train and of people, for example, bus, train and maritime industries. It is easier when one maritime industries. It is easier when one global controlling body sets the standards global controlling body sets the standards and recommended practices, as in the and recommended practices, as in the

SETTING UP A SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

Companies that don’t yet have a robust safety management system (SMS) in place should start by implementing a system that is appropriate to their organisation’s size and complexity, backed up by technology and well-trained safety personnel.

It is important to manage safety from the ground up as well as from the top down – get everyone involved. Build a safety culture around what in aviation is called a “Just Culture”. One where all employees participate willingly and without the fear of blame. Above all, keep the SMS simple and make it easy for all participants to understand how it works.

aviation sector, but countries individually can and do mandate their own safety standards. Companies, too, can elect to increase their safety standards above those required as a minimum by law, which many already do.

In Africa, the good news is that there are many excellent and safe aircraft operators, airlines and charter aircraft operators. Many African countries, especially those who operate on behalf of the oil and gas and resource/ mining sectors, require the implementation of their own higher aviation safety standards. These airlines and charter aircraft operators often exceed the operating standards of similar-sized aircraft operators elsewhere, even in the fi rst world.

Working safely and ensuring that an aeroplane or helicopter returns safely after every flight is in the DNA of everyone who works in the aviation industry, no matter their role.