Review Your Safety Policy
There is an expectation that the
safety policy is reviewed periodically for continuing applicability. A safety
policy establishes guidance for safety objectives and goals for the safe
operation of an airport or aircraft. A safety policy is a practical applied
document and tailored to each operator for the purpose of being accepted by all
personnel within the organization.
Policies that are not accepted by all personnel are impractical to
operations and more of a deterrent to safety than no policy at all. A policy
that is influenced by a third-party requirement is a not an unfettered policy
and is also a deterrent for the safe operation of an airport or aircraft.
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| A Safety Policy Review is based on data only. |
The
expectation that the safety policy is reviewed periodically is to identify
processes that has influenced the policy and that the policy is still
applicable to detected, or undetected changes of operations.
There are several
parties involved in airport or airline operations, from tenants, customers, auditors
and the environment itself. When there is interference in development, or
maintenance of a safety policy the policy sets the stage for unexpected, or
undecided results.
When operational changes go
undetected they becomes “normal” to operations. A policy may at first sight
appear to be applicable indefinite, since at the time of implementation its
intentions were to promote safety and if the policy is questioned, or reviewed
it could appear to be an attack on safety itself. Over the history of aviation, it has been
unheard of to question safety. However, by allowing for a safety review of the
policy, or in other words question safety, new doors are opened for continuous
improvement to aviation safety.
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| Almost safe doesn't cut it. |
Reviewing
the safety policy is a responsibility of the accountable executive. This does
not necessary imply that the accountable executive, who often is removed from
the operational processes, does the actual review, but implies that the
accountable executive accepts accountability to the safety policy itself.
This
renewed safety policy is then signed by accountable executive and promoted
throughout the organization with explanation of why these changes were
necessary for the safe operations
of airport or aircraft.
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