Industry safety management systems

Rationale

Industry SMS implementation is required in most aviation sectors by law and is advocated in all others. However, to improve overall safety in aviation, the SMS needs to be effective. Industry needs appropriate guidance and support to develop effective safety management systems that will deliver an increasingly safe service. CAA needs to have the capability to assess the effectiveness of an organisation’s SMS.

EPAS requires Member State National Aviation Authorities to:

Explicitly review safety promotion material, referenced in EPAS, requiring Member State promulgation and a consequent UK plan for delivery.

Outcomes

Tools, training and safety promotion information which will enhance understanding of SMS so that; industry implements and develops effective SMS so that it can identify, understand and manage safety risks.
Just Culture and Human Factors assessment is embedded in our oversight of SMS.
CAA has the capability to deliver SMS oversight in a common and consistent approach across all our regulated organisations so that we can assure ourselves that our industry has implemented effective SMS.
The CAA sustains its reputation as an international centre of excellence for SMS and is influencing nationally and internationally to improve aviation safety globally.

Actions

Develop a CAA SMS Strategy and Action Plan that defines our ongoing SMS oversight activities and how we will continue to engage with industry to promote effective SMS implementation.
Establishment of airworthiness industry SMS implementation groups to proactively prepare for EASA SMS rule entry into force.
Develop a SMS refresher course for all inspectors to capture updates to processes and lessons learnt.
Update the SMS evaluation tool and oversight procedures to ensure that Human Factors is being assessed as an integrated part of an organisation’s SMS.
Continue to promote SMS implementation and improvement to industry through the promulgation of guidance material, information notices and presentation at industry meetings and conferences.