Safety Management Systems in Gliding Presented by Stuart FERGUSON Member of the GFA Safety Management Committee Regional Safety Manager NSWGA Club Safety Manager – Canberra Gliding Club Inc.

GFA and Safety Management GFA is a Recreational Aviation Administration Organisation (RAAO). RAAOs are established to administer aviation activities that do not fit into mainstream aviation regulations and are administered under a number of exemptions and delegations. These exemptions are conditional. CAO 95.4 – Gliders, Powered Sailplanes and Power Assisted Sailplanes CAO 95.4.1 – Gliders engaged in Charter Operations To exercise these exemptions RAAOs must be able to provide CASA with evidence that they have the capability to administer their aviation activities. The establishment of an effective Safety Management System (SMS) is required by CASA to in part meet evidence requirements.

GFA GFA Board directed that a National Safety Management Committee be established to manage the organisations Safety Management Systems (SMS) On the weekend 27th/28th July 2013 five representatives of the state gliding associations meet in Melbourne with Chris Thorpe, Peter Gray and the National Safety Management Committee was established. The committee Chair – Peter Gray Qld - Jenny Thompson WA – Owen Jones SA/NT – John Hudson Vic/Tas – Tim Belcher NSW – Stuart Ferguson

What is Safety Management? Safety management is an organisational function, which ensures that all safety risks have been identified assessed and satisfactorily mitigated.

What is a Safety Management System? A Safety Management System is a systematic approach to managing safety, including the necessary organisational structures accountabilities policies and procedures A SMS is based on Leadership and Accountability

A Safety Management System is not A substitute for compliance A substitute for oversight A replacement for system safety

What is Required? That the GFA’s National Safety Committee will establish a structure to manage SMS at the national level. These activities will include Create and maintain a SMS for the GFA. Report to the GFA Board. Liaise with CASA to ensure that compliance requirements are maintained. Create a compliant SMS template for gliding clubs to use. Meet with Gliding Club management and members work through the implication of a compliant SMS Support gliding clubs and their members in the establishment and maintenance of their SMS Audit Gliding Clubs SMS activities and maintain records of audit activities. Initiate and maintain members safety education programs.

Components of an SMS The universally accepted framework for SMS includes four main components and twelve elements, representing the minimum requirements for a SMS. They are: Safety policy and objectives Safety risk management Safety assurance Safety promotion

Club Safety Committee Every Club will establish a Safety Committee Will Include Club President Club CFI Club Maintenance Officer Club Safety Officer (New Position) (Must be 4 different people) May include Club Tug Master Airfield Manager or Airfield Liaison Officer Any other stakeholders This committee must meet regularly and maintain minutes of meetings, this meeting could be a held separately or be part of a scheduled committee meetings.

How does an SMS differ from traditional approaches? Implementing an SMS does not involve the regulator imposing an additional layer of oversight on the aviation industry. The traditional flight safety approach depended on a flight safety officer or a department in a large organization, independent from operations management, but reporting to the chief executive of the organization. The Safety Manager/Officer had no authority to make changes that would enhance safety. The safety Manager/Officer depended on his/her ability to persuade management to act. An SMS holds managers accountable for safety related performance.

Club Safety Manager The Club Safety Manager is appointed by and responsible to the Club Committee for the management of the their clubs Safety Management System. The job title may be either Club Safety Manager (CSM) or Club Safety Officer (CSO) The use of the description Manager is preferred to be consistent with the National Safety Manager and Regional Safety Manager and the overall theme of Safety Management.

The role of the Club Safety Manager (CSM) is To promote an effective safety culture within his or her club. To develop an atmosphere that includes all club members to be equally interested in and dedicated to improving safety at all times. Work closely with the CFI, Club Technical Officer and Committee Maintain club records as required by SMS Work closely with and report to the Regional Safety Manager to ensure that their club meets the governance requirements of a compliant SMS. NB – The Clubs operational safety and training standards remain with the Clubs Level 2 and Level 3 Instructors under the leadership of the Club CFI

Specific responsibilities are To develop and implement the clubs Risk Management Plan To advise the President and CFI on safety matters, and in particular to bring deficiencies to their attention, so that corrective action can be taken. To regularly review the club’s Risk Management Plan To seek the assistance and guidance of the RSM and/or the National Safety Manager, as necessary, in the discharge of his/her responsibilities. To consult with the President and CFI on the need to appoint deputies with specific responsibilities (e.g. ground equipment and visitor safety). To undertake any other tasks which he/she and/or the Committee perceive to be necessary in the interests of accident prevention. 

Club Implementation The Regional Safety Manager will meet with every Gliding Club Safety Committee to assist them through the process of establishing their compliant SMS. Provide ongoing support to the each clubs safety committee in the establishment and maintenance of their clubs SMS. Maintain an audit trail of regional SMS activities Meet (Skype) with the National Safety Manager and the other Regional Safety Managers. Provide report on regional SMS activities as required to the National Safety Manager to meet compliance requirements.

Is this Sign a Trip Hazard ?

Outcomes for Members To be able to continue to enjoy the sport of gliding administered by the GFA Assurance that safety matters are being managed within their club. A Voice – providing an avenue to report safety issues knowing they will be addressed. A safer sport Fewer accidents and safety related events Reduced Insurance premiums

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