Recommendation Date
Recipient Name
CAA
Text
Air traffic control is a highly safety-critical function of the aviation system, yet the process by which Airways ensured that workplace practices were in accordance with documented procedures was not effective, as shown by the non-compliance with written and agreed roster requirements.
The Commission believes this is a safety issue that the Director needs to address with Airways and recommends that Airways be required to implement an effective and auditable means of capturing the performance of individual controllers in a systematic way, as will be expected under the principles of safety management systems.
The Commission believes this is a safety issue that the Director needs to address with Airways and recommends that Airways be required to implement an effective and auditable means of capturing the performance of individual controllers in a systematic way, as will be expected under the principles of safety management systems.
Reply Text
I accept this recommendation.
A Safety Management System (SMS) is a formal organisational framework to manage safety. Under an SMS, organisations will need to have systems for hazard identification and risk management, safety targets and reporting processes, procedures for audit, investigations, remedial actions, and safety education.
The CAA has adopted a policy of implementing SMS requirements for a wide range of certificated organisations in the civil aviation system, including Civil Aviation Rule (CAR) Part 172 certificate holders such as Airways. The SMS policy is to be implemented through a series of amendments to CARs.
However many CARs already include a number of elements of a modern SMS. CAR Part 172 currently includes requirements for Airways to have procedures in place to establish the competence of its staff providing air traffic services, and an internal management system addressing, inter alia, the need for an internal quality assurance system to ensure compliance with, and the adequacy of, the procedures required by the rule.
These matters will be the subject of ongoing audit activity and air traffic controller performance systems (including training and competency) are to be included in the scope of the Auckland Terminal Sector audit in September 2010.
A Safety Management System (SMS) is a formal organisational framework to manage safety. Under an SMS, organisations will need to have systems for hazard identification and risk management, safety targets and reporting processes, procedures for audit, investigations, remedial actions, and safety education.
The CAA has adopted a policy of implementing SMS requirements for a wide range of certificated organisations in the civil aviation system, including Civil Aviation Rule (CAR) Part 172 certificate holders such as Airways. The SMS policy is to be implemented through a series of amendments to CARs.
However many CARs already include a number of elements of a modern SMS. CAR Part 172 currently includes requirements for Airways to have procedures in place to establish the competence of its staff providing air traffic services, and an internal management system addressing, inter alia, the need for an internal quality assurance system to ensure compliance with, and the adequacy of, the procedures required by the rule.
These matters will be the subject of ongoing audit activity and air traffic controller performance systems (including training and competency) are to be included in the scope of the Auckland Terminal Sector audit in September 2010.
Related Investigation(s)