Safety Management Systems for Airport Operators

A five-day training course for those who need to develop and implement an holistic Safety Management System to be implemented throughout the entirety of airport operations, including the activities of business partners and contracted agencies.

5 Days

Duration

On-line

Course Delivery

€2250

Course Price

Course Overview

An aerodrome operations specific 5-day programme designed for those responsible for developing, implementing and participating in a systematic approach to managing aviation safety, including the necessary organisational structures, accountabilities, policies and procedures.

This course aims to provide comprehensive training in SMS by developing and expanding delegates’ knowledge and understanding of safety management concepts in accordance with ICAO Doc. 9859 and designed in satisfaction of local regulations such as Reg. 139/2014 within the European Union. Delegates will acquire the knowledge to help implement key components of a basic SMS. The course is highly interactive and promotes SMS industry ‘best practice’.

The course recognises and responds to the dynamic airport environment where several key service providers may have to facilitate integration of individual SMS to ensure a safe operational environment. The importance of managing safety within the airside environment is the focal point of the course.

To provide participants with a good understanding of the basic principles of Aviation Safety and Occupational Health & Safety Management Systems as applicable to an Aerodrome environment, together with the process of development, implementation and verification of effectiveness of such systems in the context of the need to satisfy the relevant regulations and requirements of interested parties.

The training course will comprise a series of linked modules and aims to facilitate a high degree of attendee participation through the use of Syndicate Exercises, group discussion and practical activities based around a fictitious case study airport organisation.

Course Dates

Year Days Month
2025 20th - 24th October
2026 20th - 24th April

This course is delivered in a virtual training room via Zoom. Please get in touch with us if you require in-person training.

Course Topics

  • The philosophy of safety management,
  • The relationship between aviation safety management and occupational health & safety management,
  • The need for an holistic approach to safety management,
  • The concept of Integrated Management Systems,
  • Integration of aviation safety management and occupational health & safety management,
  • How other services (ATC, Airlines, ER etc.) impact on overall safety at an aerodrome,
  • Human and organizational factors in SMS implementation,
  • Safety performance measurement practices,
  • How to extend compliance monitoring to SMS and OH&SMS processes,
  • How to identify the sources of the best practices on SMS and OH&SMS in aerodromes

The five day training course will comprise four modules:

Module 1 – Basic principles / Safety implications of Aerodrome Operations  

(To facilitate understanding of the broader nature of Safety Management at Aerodromes)

To cover Aviation Safety & OH&S & relative responsibilities.

[Aircraft Operations / Aerodrome Staff / Contractors / Travelling Public / Tenants (Immigration services/Police/Customs/etc.] interface with Airlines, interface with ATC service provider]

Basic principles of an SMS (included processes, concept of PDCA cycle). Overview of ICAO Annex 19 and Doc 9859 SMS frameworks.

Module 2 – SMS fundamental processes & application in respect of Aerodromes

(To facilitate understanding of the key processes included in an SMS in relation to both the Annex 19 and ISO 45001 SMS frameworks)

The four components and 12 elements of an SMS as prescribed in ICAO Annex 19, the requirements of ISO 45001. (covering in more detail Hazard Identification and Risk Management in Aerodrome environments).

Application / considerations in relation to some Aerodrome specifics.

Module 3 – Developing and implementing an effective Aerodrome SMS to satisfy Aviation Regulations & OH&S regulations 

(To facilitate understanding of the approach to developing an SMS covering Aviation & OH&S)

Determination of Scope of SMS, Operational activities that need to be included, Inclusion of Contractors (organisations, individuals), Undertaking a Gap Analysis, SMS development & implementation stages, SMS Documentation, Human & Organizational Factors, promoting a positive  Safety Culture, Incident & Accident investigations , Safety Committees and Action Groups , Workforce support & involvement, Training & Competency. The interface  with ATC service providers, Air Operators, and Contractors.

Module 4 – Verification of SMS implementation

(To facilitate the understanding of the need for performance monitoring, Compliance Monitoring in relation to SMS and the need for, and difference to, routine Inspection activities)

Performance measurement, SMS compliance monitoring (Safety Audits & Inspections), SMS periodic review & improvement.

Who Should Attend

This course will be of great benefit to airport staff responsible for developing, implementing and participating in a systematic approach to managing aviation safety in an aerodrome environment.

Aerodrome Senior Management, Quality, Operations and Safety Managers, and others tasked with managing safety or who need to possess knowledge and understanding of airside safety and operations, including the Accountable Manager.  Regulators will also benefit from attendance at this course.

Got Questions? Speak to a Learning Advisor

Learning Objectives

The course aims to provide participants with a good understanding of the basic principles of aviation Safety and Occupational Health & Safety Management Systems as applicable to an Aerodrome environment, together with the process of development, implementation and verification of effectiveness of such systems in the context of the need to satisfy the relevant regulations and requirements of other interested parties.

The course will assist the participants to develop abilities to:

  • identify how SMS are being effectively applied in aerodromes
  • Identify how aviation authorities are regulating aerodrome SMS
  • Explain the needs for and benefits of SMS
  • Outline the philosophy of safety management
  • Obtain management’s and the workforce’s support and involvement
  • Make a ‘business case’ and a ‘safety case’ of an aerodrome SMS
  • Identify the key people in SMS implementation and their roles
  • Apply a SMS gap analysis process in aerodromes (compare what we have with what we should have)
  • Apply principles and techniques of hazard identification and risk management in aerodrome environment
  • Develop and run safety committees and action groups
  • Consider other services (ATC, Airlines, ER etc) in aerodrome SMS
  • Take into account human and organizational factors in SMS implementation
  • Promote a positive aviation safety culture
  • Apply safety performance measurement practices
  • Develop aviation training and awareness strategies
  • Apply SMS auditing processes
  • Identify the sources of the best practices on SMS in aerodromes

The training has an interactive nature, exercises, case studies and group discussions.

Certificate awarded – ‘Participants who attend full time will receive a certificate attendance’.

Prerequisites

A background in an airport environment, preferably safety and/or operations.  No previous experience of SMS is necessary.

Register Your Interest

Complete the form to register your interest in this course and we will be in touch.

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