Important Practice for Personnel Appointment in Aviation
Aviation appointment is very important as the right safety manager at an airline or airport is critical to the success of every SMS program.
The organization with bigger airlines and airports may have dedicated safety teams directed by a “Director of Safety.” Medium-sized operators may have multiple divisions, with a full-time safety manager for each division. It is common for a safety manager to manage more than one division, for example, flight ops and administration.
Smaller airlines and airports will typically have a part-time safety manager. This safety manager will typically be functioning as a departmental supervisor or manager, and the safety manager roles will be just another “additional duty.” These safety managers have a difficult task shaping culture, as the safety manager responsibilities inadvertently compete with the other regular duties.
In other, to ensure activities are performed based on what is required, the airline organization must consider the following before appointing any personnel for operations.
1. Assigning Competent Personnel for roles
People who are competent enough to drive the duties and provide results meant for the position should be hired. Personnel with the appropriate knowledge, skills, and experience to manage the operation of the SMS program must be tested and trusted. Aviation personnel must be competent, oriented to avoid uncontrollable risk and hazards.
2. Consistent management of operations
The aviation Organization must ensure people managing the operation of the SMS program fulfills required job functions and responsibilities are available all the time. Organizations should ensure there are differently-abled groups, committees, or even individuals on the ground at all times to manage operations.
3. Direct Reporting
The provision of a direct reporting line between the Safety Manager and the Accountable Executive is always very important as it ensures consistent and continual practices of what is needed and required from each individual by the Organization.
4. Resource Allocation
Every line of safety must have the required resources to function properly all the time. When the resource is readily available, it makes the job more easier and fun to perform by everyone whose duty falls within the required jurisdiction. Allocate sufficient resources to manage the SMS program including manpower for safety investigations, analysis, auditing, and safety promotion activities.
5. Current and continuous development of people
Personnel in key safety roles are kept current through additional training and attendance at conferences and seminars. Programs that ensure they are kept up to date with the development of what is happening within and around their file should be taught. When key safety personnel has adequate knowledge of what is required of them, it becomes easier to train lower-ranked employees in the company.
