No. H027/05
For release March 4, 2005

TRANSPORT CANADA TO BOLSTER 
AVIATION SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

OTTAWA — Transport Minister Jean C. Lapierre today announced proposals to further improve the safety performance of Canadian air operators and increase accountability. The proposed changes would require air operators to implement safety management systems in their organizations, which could lead to the early identification and resolution of potential problems and safety risks.

Safety management systems represent a systematic, explicit and comprehensive process for managing risks to safety. Each system is based on an operator’s in-depth knowledge of its organization, and integrates safety into policies, management and employee practices, as well as operating procedures throughout the organization. No two safety management systems are alike. As each organization integrates safety into daily operations, management and employees can continuously work to identify and overcome potential safety hazards that could cause accidents. 

“This approach to safety has been brought in gradually over a number of years with positive results,” said Mr. Lapierre. “While Canada has a strong aviation safety record, the proposed amendments will enhance our aviation system by further promoting a "safety first’ attitude throughout the industry.”

The proposed amendments to the Canadian Aviation Regulations will require aviation organizations to appoint executives who are accountable for safety and implementing safety management systems. These systems will make organizations more accountable for day-to-day operations and permit them to use the most appropriate system to improve their safety performance.

Canada is among world leaders in safety management systems. The proposed changes build on the work of leading safety experts and international bodies, who have been advocating that greater attention be paid to aviation safety at an organizational level. This means that problems, hazards, incidents and accidents are not only reported, but the associated risks are analyzed and appropriate action is taken.

The proposed changes will be published in the Canada Gazette, Part I on March 5, 2005. A 30 day response period follows, during which interested parties may comment on the proposed amendments. After careful consideration of all comments received, Transport Canada will finalize the regulations and publish them in the Canada Gazette, Part II.

For more information on safety management systems please visit the Civil Aviation website at www.tc.gc.ca/CivilAviation/SMS/menu.htm.

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BACKGROUNDER

SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

In 1999, Transport Canada launched Flight 2005, an initiative developed to continually improve on the already high level of aviation safety in Canada and to maintain the equally high level of public confidence in Transport Canada’s aviation program. In Flight 2005, Transport Canada committed to the implementation of safety management systems in aviation organizations.

Safety management systems are methods a company can use to integrate safety throughout its organization. They are based on the operator’s in-depth knowledge of its organization and integrate safety into policies, management and employee practices and procedures. No two safety management systems are alike. As each organization integrates safety into daily operations, management and employees can continuously work to identify and overcome potential safety hazards.

Currently, Transport Canada is active at the operational level with audits and inspections of actual activities. With the introduction of safety management systems, the focus will be at the systems level. This means that inspectors would assess the effectiveness of safety management systems within an organization. Therefore, safety management systems add a layer of safety and enhance the work Transport Canada continues to do through its oversight program of inspections and audits.

Some air operators have already begun implementing these systems and have had positive results. The broader implementation of safety management systems by aviation organizations is part of an effort to reduce the already low aircraft accident rate in Canada. The goals of these systems are to increase industry accountability, instill a consistent and positive safety culture, and help improve the safety performance of air operators, but leave the means of achieving that performance in the hands of industry management.

To be effective, safety management systems require strong commitments from all levels of an organization, including top management, to continually improve safety standards. Currently, safety is the responsibility of a safety officer who reports to management but who is ultimately not accountable for safety performance. Therefore, the proposed amendments would require aviation organizations to appoint executives who are accountable for safety and implementing safety management systems. These executives would impose, implement, lead and manage new policies and be directly accountable for the safety performance of their operations.

These proposed amendments build on the work of leading safety experts and international bodies, who have been advocating that greater attention be paid to aviation safety at an organizational level and emphasizing the importance of working with the industry to achieve a higher level of safety. This means that problems, hazards, incidents, occurrences and accidents are not only reported, but the associated risks are analyzed and appropriate action is taken.

Transport Canada will continue to develop, implement, and enforce safety standards and regulations under the Canadian Aviation Regulations. The department has a comprehensive safety oversight program consisting of certification, licensing, inspections, audits, education and awareness, as well as enforcement activities to monitor compliance with Canadian safety regulations. Within this safety oversight program, the department uses risk-threat analysis to adjust its priorities and continuously refocuses its resources to protect the travelling public.

For more information on safety management systems please visit the Civil Aviation website at www.tc.gc.ca/CivilAviation/SMS/menu.htm.
 

March 2005