Correlation Of Safety Culture & Safety Management Systems (image embedded from [http://www.skybrary.aero/images/SMS_SC_interdependency_Capture.JPG] on 28 August 2010) |
Introduction
Safety Culture: Organisational attitudes, mindsets, beliefs, shared values regarding operational safety, which reflects the organisational dedication and commitment towards upholding a high level of operational safety.
Safety Management System: Safety systems, policies, processes and procedures excellence and their implementation towards dealing with safety risk and information regarding safety, thereby reflecting the organisational competence and capability towards upholding a high level of operational safety.
Correlating Safety Culture with SMS
The existence of safety culture and SMS is co-dependent towards achieving a high level of operational safety.
Without a safety culture, dedication to uphold a high level of operational safety will not be sufficient for the organisational to consider implementing safety systems, policies, processes and procedures.
Likewise, without a SMS, commitment to uphold a high level of operational safety will be futile without actual actions being undertaken.
Therefore, both the safety culture and SMS must co-exist together, in order for the organisation to instill sufficient amount of correct comprehension and awareness of potential operational safety risks and threats. Together, as a whole, they can then mould the correct employee behavioural norms towards upholding a high operational safety level.
Reference
EUROCONTROL. (2008, December). Safety culture in air traffic management. Retrieved 28 August 2010, from http://www.skybrary.aero/bookshelf/books/564.pdf.
http://www.skybrary.aero/index.php/Solutions:Safety_Culture