What Is Safety Assurance in Aviation SMS?
Safety Assurance is a vital pillar of aviation Safety Management Systems (SMS), ensuring policies, controls, and assessments function as designed to maintain safety and compliance with
ICAO Annex 19. Trusted by over 450 airlines, airports, and FBOs, SMS Pro provides tools like the
Safety Assurance System and
KPI Trend Monitoring to streamline continuous monitoring, reducing audit findings by 30%.
See what our customers say.
Understanding Safety Assurance
Safety Assurance is the process within aviation SMS that verifies the ongoing effectiveness of safety policies, risk controls, and assessments, even as operating environments evolve. It ensures aviation service providers consistently practice their safety program, aligning with standards like ICAO, FAA, and EASA. By incorporating elements of quality management, Safety Assurance drives continuous improvement and strengthens safety culture. SMS Pro’s Safety Assurance System automates monitoring and evaluation, saving 20–30 hours/month and reducing compliance costs by $10,000–$50,000 annually, as seen in implementations at regional airlines and airports.
Objectives of Safety Assurance
The primary objective of Safety Assurance is to ensure that an aviation safety program remains effective and adaptable to changes in the operating environment, such as new regulations or equipment. It achieves this by:
- Verifying that policies and procedures, like those in the Safety Risk Management pillar, are implemented correctly.
- Monitoring risk controls to maintain risks at acceptable levels, using SMS Pro’s Risk Analysis Charts.
- Ensuring continuous system improvement through audits and corrective actions, supported by Predictive Analysis Tool.
Safety Assurance is an organizational effort, extending beyond the safety team to involve responsible managers, as demonstrated by FBOs achieving sustained compliance with SMS Pro’s tools.
Continuous Monitoring in Safety Assurance
Continuous monitoring is the essence of Safety Assurance, enabling operators to detect changes that introduce new risks or reduce control effectiveness. Key monitoring activities include:
Corrective and preventive actions from these activities are managed by operational managers, ensuring organizational-wide engagement. SMS Pro’s Issue Manager tracks these actions, reducing audit findings by 30%, as seen in major airports.
Integration with Quality Management
Safety Assurance often overlaps with quality management, incorporating elements like audits, performance metrics, and corrective actions. This integration ensures that risk controls remain effective and aligned with organizational goals. SMS Pro seamlessly blends safety and quality assurance through:
This approach strengthens safety culture and compliance, as evidenced by airlines achieving “Evaluated and Sustained” status using SMS Pro.
SMS Pro: Your Safety Assurance Solution
SMS Pro, developed by NorthWest Data Solutions, offers industry-leading tools for Safety Assurance. The Safety Assurance System, Predictive Analysis, and Issue Reporting tools enable continuous monitoring, audit preparation, and corrective action management, ensuring compliance with FAA, EASA, and ICAO standards. Scalable for teams of 1 to over 500, with plans starting at $0/month, SMS Pro is trusted by 450+ organizations worldwide. Explore pricing plans to find the perfect fit.
What Our Customers Say
“SMS Pro’s Safety Assurance System cut our audit findings by 30%, ensuring ICAO compliance with ease.”
— Judi Bethune, Safety Manager, Regional Airline
“The KPI Trend Monitoring tool streamlined our monitoring, saving $15,000 in compliance costs.”
— Diane Hibbett, Airport Safety Director
“SMS Pro’s audit tools transformed our safety culture, making assurance an organizational effort.”
— Per Christensen, FBO Safety Coordinator
“As a global operator, SMS Pro’s tools ensured our safety controls remained effective and compliant.”
— Tim O’Neill, International Operator
Trusted by over 450 aviation organizations. See more customer reviews.
Aviation SMS Safety Assurance Modules