A Leader’s Guide to Starting With SMS

Creating an effective Safety Management System (SMS) isn’t just about compliance—it’s about creating a culture of safety where every employee feels empowered to report issues, mitigate risks, and work toward continuous improvement. But for many aviation executives, SMS can be a blind spot—perhaps they don’t know how effective their program really is or where to focus improvement efforts.

So, where should you start?

1. Define the Baseline

Start by asking your safety and management teams these key questions:

  • Do we have a formalized SMS in place that meets regulatory requirements?

  • When was the last time our SMS was reviewed and updated?

  • Are our safety policies and procedures clearly communicated to all employees?

  • Do our front-line employees feel comfortable reporting safety issues without fear of reprisal?

  • Are we actively tracking safety performance metrics and using them to make operational decisions?

2. Identify Gaps and Weaknesses

Understanding where your organization currently stands is critical. Engage your SMS Manager (or designate) to evaluate:

  • Hazard identification and risk assessment processes

  • Incident reporting and follow-up actions

  • Emergency response preparedness

  • Safety communication channels

This will help you identify gaps in your SMS and where immediate improvements are needed.

3. Build Competency and Knowledge

Many gaps in SMS programs stem from lack of training or inconsistent application of safety processes. That’s where structured training comes in.

For those new to SMS or looking to strengthen their foundation, our Intro to SMS and Human Factors Course is the ideal starting point. This virtual course covers the fundamentals of SMS, including:

  • Regulatory requirements

  • Risk management strategies

  • Safety culture development

  • Human factors and error management

For more experienced safety leaders, our SMS Manager Course builds on this foundation by focusing on leadership, communication, and operational integration. Participants leave with a clear understanding of how to align safety with operational goals and drive measurable improvements in their organizations.

Register today for our upcoming courses and reach out for help in navigating the road to safety success. We can help you to determine where you are, where you need to be and the path to get there with our experience, expertise and evidence-based approach.

Currie Russell, A.A.E.

President, Acclivix Inc.

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Spring Training: Moving from Compliance to a Learning Culture