As global aviation activity and complexity
continues to grow, many methods are used to identify risks, one of these
methods is audit. It is one of proactive safety management activity which based
on identifying safety risks within the system before it fails, and taking the
necessary actions to reduce safety risks.
ICAO define audit as “A proactive, core
safety management activity for systematically assessing how well an
organization is meeting its safety objectives and for identifying potential
problems before they have an impact on safety."
Types of Safety Audits
Each
aviation organization has its own quality assurance system which work as a
monitoring structure – it's included QA audit "Internal auditing" -
used to supervise the equipment, systems, and processes to ensure that all the
standard requirements - set by both ICAO and the Civil Aviation Authority- are met. While,
States has a safety oversight system- regulatory safety audits "external
auditing" - to promote aviation safety by observing and assessing the compliance
of aircraft operators/service providers with the applicable regulations,
procedures and recommended practices.
Audits
may be conducted by industry associations or other third parties - third party
audits "external auditing" - selected by aircraft operators/service
providers. These external audits enhance the internal audit system as well as
provide independent oversight.”
Auditing
is one of the essential pillars of the services offered by IATA – as industry
association- to the aviation industry. Many months ago, I had published article
about IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) for airlines and airports and in
this article, I will explain another type of audit offered by IATA " IATA
Safety Audit for Ground Operations (ISAGO)".
Ground Operations
To
clear this definition, ground operations are conducted by airlines or ground service
providers and includes a wide range of services which aims at facilitating an
aircraft flight or aircraft ground repositioning, preparation for flight and upon
conclusion of a flight which include both customer service and ramp service
functions.
After
you gain the basic knowledge about the type of audits and the definition of
ground operation, we will move on to another topic.
IATA Safety Audit for Ground Operations (ISAGO)
The IATA Safety Audit for Ground Operations
(ISAGO) program is an internationally recognized and accepted system for
assessing the operational management and control systems of an organization that
provides ground handling services for airlines (the
“Ground Handling Services Provider”). ISAGO is based on industry-proven quality audit principles and
structured to ensure a standardized audit with consistent results.
The IATA Safety Audit for Ground Operations
(ISAGO) program has been introduced to compliment the IOSA program and is
conducted to the same high standards that are expected when undertaking an IOSA
audit. The main aim of ISAGO is to enable ground handling service
providers to operate to a single global standard which will contribute to safer
operations and a reduction in accidents. It also helps to reduce the number of
audits undertaken by several operators of ground handling service providers as
the numerous audits can be substituted by a single ISAGO audit recognized by
all operators. This mean reducing the auditing costs by aicraft operators..
Do you have an idea about the meaning of
ISAGO Standards and Recommended Practices (GOSARPs), continue reading..
IATA ISAGO Standards
IATA ISAGO Standards are specified systems,
policies, programs, processes, procedures, plans, sets of measures, facilities,
components, types of equipment, or any other aspects of ground operations under
the scope of ISAGO. It is considered an operational necessity, and with which
a Provider will be expected to be in conformity at the conclusion of the Audit.
Standards always contain the word “shall”
(e.g. “The Provider shall have a process…”) in order to denote a requirement.
IATA ISAGO Recommended Practices
IATA ISAGO Recommended Practices are
specified systems, policies, programs, processes, procedures, plans, sets of
measures, facilities, components, types of equipment or any other aspects of
ground operations under the audit scope of ISAGO. It is considered
operationally desirable, but conformity is optional and any action is at the
Provider's discretion.
In IATA GOSM, Recommended Practices always
contain the italicized word “should” (e.g., “The Provider should have a
policy…”) to denote optional conformity.
ISAGO Standards Manual (GOSM)
IATA has developed a comprehensive set of ISAGO
Standards and Recommended Practices (GOSARPs) contained in its GOSM. GOSARPs
are used as the basis for an assessment (the “Audit”) of a Provider conducted
under the ISAGO Program. The GOSM is the sole source of assessment criteria
used by ISAGO auditors when conducting an Audit.
IATA ISAGO Audit Scope
Based on the ISAGO
Standards Manual "IATA GOSM ( Ed 7, February 2018 ) ", the audit scope
consists of:
·
Organization and Management
(ORM);
·
Load Control (LOD);
·
Passenger and Baggage
Handling (PAB);
·
Intentionally Open
·
Aircraft Handling and
Loading (HDL);
·
Aircraft Ground Movement
(AGM);
·
Cargo and Mail Handling
(CGM).
Note: refer to "latest edition of GOSM".
Benefits of IATA ISAGO Audit
There are many benefits of IATA ISAGO for Airlines, Ground Handling Services Providers,
and Regulatory Authorities.
For Airlines
Airlines that are required to audit ground handling companies will
benefit by:
• Reduction in number of
audits
• Lower risk of ground damage
• Cost savings
• More efficient processes
• Improved quality standards
• Better understanding of
high-risk areas within ground operations.
For Ground Handling Services Providers
As for Ground Service Providers, the benefits include:
• Reduction of incidents and
accidents
• Fewer injuries to personnel
* Reduction of redundant audits from customer airlines
• Opportunity to refocus
resources on operations
• Improvement of operational
safety capability
• Enhanced company image and
reputation
For Regulatory Authorities
Regulatory Authorities will benefit by:
• Enhanced regulatory safety
oversight
• Uniform audit process and
recognized standards
• Improvement of oversight by
airport operators
IATA ISAGO Audit Registration
Based on IATA, Ground Service Providers
(GSPs) that model their operations on the ISAGO standards are committed to
operate to globally accepted industry best practices.
The ISAGO Registry lists companies which have
undergone an ISAGO audit and complied with these requirements:.
1. Successful completion of an audit at the GSP’s headquarters and
at least one station.
2. Addressed all audit findings within 6 months of the on-site audit meeting.
IATA is committed to it's members and industry partners by encouraging airlines and ground handling service providers to operate to a single global standard which will contribute to safer operations and a reduction in accidents.
Conclusion
ISAGO aims to bring improvements, similar to
IOSA, in airside safety and efficiency for airports, airlines
and ground handling companies etc. It is an internationally
recognized and accepted system for assessing the operational management and control
systems of a company that provides ground handling
services for airlines.
ISAGO is based on industry-proven
quality audit principles and structured to ensure a standardized audit
with consistent
results.
The ISAGO program is intended to create an
audit pooling arrangement whereby registration of the company
itself, and of each ground station, will be accepted by
IATA as demonstrating an acceptable standard of safety performance
to any operator, without that operator having to conduct its own audit.
Further reading :
- ISAGO Program Manual,IATA