Hazards exist at all operational levels in the airline and are detectable through many sources including reporting systems, FDM, inspections, audits, brainstorming sessions, and expert judgment. By Safety Management System, the airline has to establish a voluntary reporting system. The Voluntary Reporting System is based on voluntary informing of employees of any hazards identified, situations, or events that pose a real or potential threat to the safety or reputation of the airlines.
Many airline workers are aware of the
potential hazards in their work environment, by voluntarily reporting these
hazards they will not vulnerable to injury. That is why during my SMS training
classes, I explain to my trainees the importance of the safety reports by
airline workers. I explain to them that
100 % of problems – including safety hazards and threats - are known to
low-rank personnel who work in the front line, while 74% are known to
supervisors, 9% known to middle management, and 4% known to top management.
In my opinion, a successful SMS manager
value the importance of safety information, especially when it is sent to him
before the hard outcomes occurred. By using safety management software, the
airline workers can send confidential, speedy, easy voluntary reports to
migrate 100% of safety information to the top management. Safety management
system is about safety decisions making to control the safety risks to an
acceptable level. For this reason, SMS software is highly recommended to
support top management in achieving SMS goals. That is why many airlines use “like Flightdatapeople SMS360”.
Is a Voluntary Reporting System a regulatory requirement?
Yes, it is required by ICAO Annex 19
(Safety Management).
Annex 19 (7/11/19) -Chapter 5
"5.1.3 States shall establish a
voluntary safety reporting system to collection safety data and safety
information not captured by the mandatory safety reporting system".
Such reports may involve occurrences,
hazards, or threats relevant to the safety of airlines, airports, and
Maintenance Repair Organizations, etc.
For this reason, Civil Aviation Authorities
required all airlines, airports, and Maintenance Repair Organizations – and
other aviation entities- to promote Voluntary Reporting System within their
respective organizations and ensure that the employees are aware of the
Voluntary Reporting System.
Why should I make a Voluntary Report?
If you work daily in the operational areas
of the airlines, you are in the best position to be aware of hazards.
Specifically, if you are one of the following:
1-
Flight crew members
2-
Air Traffic Controllers
3-
Licensed engineers.
5-
Ramp agent
6-
Flight dispatchers
By reporting hazards, you will save lives
or keep yourself and other people safe from any injuries. Furthermore, you will
be avoiding losing materials/systems or danger for the environment.
The following Voluntary Reporting System
features will assure you by being safe, and comfortable using the Voluntary
Reporting System:
1. The Voluntary Reporting System is a
confidential system that protects the identity of the reporter.
2. The Voluntary Reporting System is a non-punitive system that does not use the reported information to punish employees, but is instead focused upon developing process improvements to eliminate the identified hazards or control the risks associated with the report.
The voluntary report can be made by anyone
who observes or becomes aware of a reportable safety concern. You can
contribute to aviation safety enhancement through the Voluntary Reporting
System by reporting on occurrences, hazards, or threats relevant to your
aviation activities:
What should I report?
You can report any information regarding any hazard, incident, or occurrence that may have or has the potential of impacting aviation safety can be reported. But you should not make a voluntary report for any safety information covered by the mandatory reporting system.
For example, you can report safety
incidents or events involving ( but not limited to):
- Errors
- Individual performance
- Health & Safety matters affecting
Operating Procedures
- Regulatory aspects
- Unsafe practices
What are the possible outcomes from a voluntary report submission?
Your voluntary report will lead to taking
actions to improve aviation safety in response to the identified concern.
Furthermore, this can include variations to standards, orders, practices,
procedures, or updating training materials.
When should I make a voluntary report?
There is no time limitation to submit a
report. However, in the interest of aviation safety, time-critical information
should be reported at the earliest opportunity. If your airlines use safety
management system software “like Flightdatapeople SMS360”, it will help
you speedily, confidentially submit your report.
Can the voluntary report be anonymous?
The voluntary Reporting System is designed
to accept anonymous reports. But some airlines may not accept anonymous reports
because safety staff cannot contact an anonymous reporter to verify the
submission. Or to seek additional information. No one knows the safety culture
of your airlines more than you do. What I can say, is be sure that your
voluntary report will save lives.
Summary
The key objective of the voluntary - and
also, the confidential - reporting system is to enhance the safety of aviation
activities through the collection of reports on actual or potential safety
deficiencies that would otherwise not be reported through other channels.
To allow management to make defensible and
correct safety-based decisions. It needs to be presented with appropriate
safety data and safety information to determine the risk landscape to which it
may be exposed.
In the voluntary reporting system, the
reporter, without any legal or administrative requirement to do so, submits a
voluntary incident report. The reported information is not used against the
reporters.
Airlines must establish a robust reporting
culture in which employees are fully engaged in the management of safety.
I would appreciate any effort to update
this article on the Aviation Professional website.
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