Why do 90% of Companies Fail in Operational Safety?

Operational safety in air operations is, without a doubt, an obligation that arises from compliance with rules, regulations, guidelines and other directives issued by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and regulatory bodies. However, true safety is not limited to a simple obligation to comply with regulations. At first, many companies do it because they "have to" , without really understanding the philosophy and reason behind these requirements.

Today, many business owners are focused exclusively on economic production, leaving aside the real work of maintaining a proper balance between production and security. Unfortunately, this lack of understanding only becomes apparent when they are faced with lawsuits, criminal situations, unexpected payments, and irreparable losses of what they have built over a lifetime.

The Problem of Senior Management and Lack of Understanding

The root of the problem lies in inadequate staff training , starting from top management. It has become common practice for the Safety Management System (SMS) to be seen as an uncomfortable obligation, similar to when parents force their children to do something at home without explaining the true meaning. This approach creates a barrier of resistance that can only be overcome with painful personal experiences, where it becomes evident that neglecting safety has a much higher cost than the initial investment to implement it correctly.

The AVIACIÓN AEROED team understands the shortcomings that exist today not only at the company level, but throughout the entire chain of the aeronautical industry. Although aviation is considered safe , I am convinced that it can be even safer if companies, especially medium and small ones, begin to work from the awareness of what they really need to do in terms of safety. It is easy to hide behind the fact that maintaining an SMS is “costly” , but this happens because they do not understand the true level of work that must be carried out.

You have no idea how many events, accidents and incidents you can avoid by implementing proper SMS in your company. And I'm not saying that accidents can't happen, because that's always a possibility, but are you prepared to face potential lawsuits if it happens? Is your company really protected? I'm telling you this today in the hope that you'll take action. Remember, it's always much more expensive not to invest in specialized training, and this is something you can do easily and efficiently.

Reasons for SMS Implementation Failure

There are multiple reasons why SMS is not implemented effectively:

1. Regulations imposed without context: Governments sometimes force and demand compliance with regulations that seem absurd, because they have not been adequately communicated to operators. This causes many small and medium-sized companies to not take SMS seriously, as they do not understand the technical language used and perceive that it is only aimed at large industry.

2. Lack of Understanding by Governments: Some government officials still do not understand what SMS is really for and see it as an unnecessary expense. This is due to a lack of proper training, which does not allow them to see SMS as an investment rather than a cost.

3. Resistance to Change: Some "old guard" inspectors are resistant to change, forcing the state to create inspection forms that no one understands and that must be filled out. This creates an additional burden on officials, without understanding the real reason behind the process. This does great harm to the industry.

4. Punitive Mindset: Even though SMS clearly states that we should not be punitive in many situations, the state still is. This punitive mindset causes companies to hide, manipulate or cover up the truth about security, perpetuating a cycle of insecurity.

5. Inadequate Training of Senior Management: The executives responsible for companies have not yet been adequately trained. Believing that a few hours of training given by regulatory bodies will be sufficient is a mistake. Ending with threats of sanctions only imposes laws without transmitting the true purpose of operational security.

6. Lack of Trained SMS Professionals: Many companies hire recently graduated professionals to reduce costs, without understanding that these are the ones who need the most support in their training. These professionals often do not receive the necessary tools to properly lead an SMS, which includes a lack of training in organizational culture change.

The Need for Change from Senior Management

If the state, government and all external entities do not provide the appropriate tools, as a company manager, you must take responsibility for delivering quality training. It is not just about awarding certificates, but providing appropriate mentoring to your staff with experts who help the organization grow, ensuring an organizational climate in which people want to work.

At AVIACIÓN AEROED, we offer exclusive material for those companies and professionals who really want to understand how true security works. Although we could offer this for free , we know that when things are given away, they are not valued. The value of teaching lies in the commitment that is acquired by investing in it. What I can guarantee is that what you receive is 10 times more valuable than the cost of acquiring it.

The Solution Is In Your Hands

Today, the solution is within your reach. But it is up to you to decide whether you want to wait for an accident to happen to know what to do, or if you prefer to protect your company from today.

The change in mentality must start from senior management. If the government is not doing it, your company must do it and support its staff.

At AVIACIÓN AEROED, we understand that safety begins with the individual. That is why we invite you to learn more about what we offer.

This article is not only an invitation to reflect on operational safety in aviation, but also a call to action for you to embrace a new mindset.

Don't wait any longer! Learn more about our programs and secure the future of your company.

Are you ready to take your company's security to the next level?

Contact us today and discover our specialized training program in Human Factors and Operational Safety. We provide your organization's leaders with the essential tools, with personalized and certified mentoring by highly specialized instructors with years of experience in the industry.

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Written by: Eng. Edwin Barreto - Aeroed Aviation

Instagram: @inge.edwin.barreto