This presentation reviews some of the methods to make sure that you have an SMS rather than an SM Mess at your aviation company.

1. SMS or SM Mess?
It’s Your Choice!
Presented by: Dr. Bob Baron, Ph.D
The Aviation Consulting Group
tacgworldwide.com
Copyright © 2018

2. • New conference service. Please bear with
me!
• Approx. 60 min. presentation followed by 30
min. Q&A
• Sharing practical experiences from 10+
years of global experience in SMS training
and implementation
• Interaction is encouraged, but prefer to take
questions at conclusion.
Dr. Bob Baron, Ph.D
President/Chief Consultant
The Aviation Consulting Group
Myrtle Beach, SC, USA

3. SMS
Definition
(FAA)
The formal, business like approach to
managing safety risk. It includes
systematic procedures, practices, and
policies for the management of safety
(including safety policy, safety risk
management, safety assurance, and
safety promotion)

4. SMS
Foundation
(AKA “The
Four Pillars of
Safety”)

5. Just Culture
Defined
A culture in which front-line operators
and others are not punished for
actions, omissions, or decisions taken
by them which are commensurate
with their experience and training, but
where gross negligence, willful
violations, and destructive acts are
not tolerated.

6. James Reason’s 90/10 (intent)
90% of errors are non-
culpable
• Unaware
10% of errors are culpable
• Aware
90%
10%

7. Three Scenarios: Same error
• Aircraft Engineer (AE) is required to check rivets for cracks.
Procedures require use of special work stand and lights-
• Scenario A: AE gets work stand and lights. Checks rivets but misses a
crack.
• Scenario B: AE doesn't bother with work stand and lights. Walks under
fuselage with flashlight. Misses a crack.
• Scenario C: AE goes to fetch the work stand and lights, but finds them
missing or broken. Walks under fuselage with flashlight. Misses a
crack.

8. What’s Going on Below
the Waterline?
The Heinrich Ratio states that for
600 non-reportable incidents, there
will be-
• 30 reportable incidents
• 10 accidents; and
• 1 fatal accident
How do we get this information?
Hazards

9.  This will only happen with a positive safety culture
 Typically at SMS Phase 4

10. 90%
10%
Is Your Safety Policy Truthful?
A safety policy is an implied contract
between Management and employees!
Top-Level Commitment

11. Assuming the
SMS Foundation
is Good…
Smooth path to a successful SMS!
Management is truly onboard
Trust and transparency regarding safety
issues
Employees are empowered rather than
oppressed
Safety issues are acted upon.

12. Hazards identified, risks managed
Constant feedback to employees
Safety is how you do business!
There is measurable SMS ROI
Assuming the
SMS Foundation
is Good…

14. Some Attributes
of an SM Mess…
• Non-supportive (poor) culture
• Management “lip service”
• Little (or no) trust between management
and employees
• Employees are afraid to report safety
issues
• Safety issues not acted upon
• Little (or no) feedback to employees.

15. • Safety takes a backseat in the operation
• The SMS is “a book that sits on the
shelf”
• Box-checking exercises
• Inappropriate/insufficient risk
management processes
• And many, many, more!
Some Attributes
of an SM Mess…

17. Thank You!
Bob’s direct contact info:
bbaron@tacgworldwide.com
Skype: bob.baron4
Let us know if we can assist with your SMS!
tacgworldwide.com/SMS
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