In our multi-part ACSF Safety Spotlight series we looked at the remarkable safety transformation journey with Luke Yosca, Vice President-Safety at CSI Aviation and other safety professionals.
Each article featured information that helps guide your safety management program preparation and implementation. Join us as we uncover the strategies and insights that led to extraordinary achievements in safety leadership and program development.
Article 3: Developing and Implementing a Comprehensive SMS
Accelerating Excellence: Navigating Safety Standards
In this third and final installment we explore the motivations, challenges, and strategies behind achieving exceptional safety standards in record time. We uncover the impact on safety culture and performance, integration of SMS principles, and valuable lessons learned from development and implementation.
Motivation Behind Developing and Prioritizing a Comprehensive SMS
The SMS gives a fundamentally different structure to a safety program, and it is far more comprehensive than most existing programs. Prioritizing the SMS meant that the company also prioritizes other important aspects, such as more complete risk mitigation, an internal audit program, trend analysis, etc…so it is a win all around.
Key Steps for Developing and Implementing a Comprehensive SMS
I would highly recommend writing the manuals and supporting documents first to ensure the structure and policies are already in place as you roll out the program. This could be quite intense, so be prepared to enlist the assistance of a safety professional, if needed. There could be a lot you need to create such as an SMS manual, IEP Manual, Management of Change Process, Fatigue Management Policies and more. Having them completed early will make the phased rollout much more predictable and smoother.
Impact of Implementing a Comprehensive SMS on Safety Culture and Performance
One of the biggest wins has been the “management of change” process. Different departments are now using the process to assess and mitigate risk in upcoming projects.
Advice for Safety Managers Developing a Comprehensive SMS
Treat it as a never-ending process. It’s heavily front loaded, but even after you roll out the program successfully, the program does not run itself. It takes a lot of management and work, but it is well worth it.
Integrating SMS Principles into Daily Operations for Ongoing Effectiveness
We found that it was important to start all meetings off with an SMS element of the month, mandate different processes into Management of Change and hold regular meetings to manage those processes. Get ahead of trend analysis and implement proactive controls. Once people in the organization see the benefits, safety becomes more naturally integrated in the company.
Valuable Lessons Learned from Developing and Implementing a Comprehensive SMS
The Accountable Executive sets the safety tone of the organization with their Safety Policy Letter and requires all employees to “buy” into the program. This is a team effort.
This takes patience! Remember that a lot of the concepts you’ll integrate into the company are completely foreign to many people, especially the folks in places like the administrative office. Having a lot of patience in how you roll things out in those departments is a good lesson. Good safety communication is essential.
I keep coming back to the Management of Change process, but we opened a new base with a many concepts new to the company, and running a detailed Management of Change process really captured a lot of issues ahead of time. It significantly contributed to a smooth rollout of that new operation. It made sure the key management personnel were actively mitigating identified risks and making the appropriate risk decisions. This is what is called having a Positive Safety Culture.
