Aviation Safety Manual

Department of Engineering Technology Bachelor of Science in Aviation Science Rotor-Wing Concentration

Aviation Science Safety Program Preface

Purpose

This manual is the guiding document for the Austin Peay State University’s Safety Management Program. The manual contains specific safety elements, including the four components of a Safety Management System (SMS): Safety Policy, Safety Risk Management (SRM), Safety Assurance, and Safety Promotion. The manual also provides procedures for hazard reporting, safety communications, safety and risk assessment, safety event investigations, and other pertinent safety-related topics.

Intended Users

The intended user for this manual includes all APSU Aviation Science participants, which include: faculty, staff, students, faculty, staff, flight instructors, and other Aviation Science stakeholders.

Expectations

Procedures and policies contained within this manual are expected to be followed by all APSU Aviation Science intended users/participants.

Content Management

To ensure it is preserved and updated in a timely manner, the Aviation Science Program Director may assign responsibility to an authorized designee to update this manual.

Distribution

This manual shall be made electronically available. References and information contained within shall be integrated within other APSU Aviation Science materials, as necessary. Distribution, accessibility, revision, control, and content consistency are to be fulfilled by the Aviation Science Program Director and the authorized designee.

Controls

Any time a change is made to the content or procedures enclosed in this manual, the Aviation Science Program Director or authorized designee will make the required changes.

Process Management

At a minimum, this manual should be verified annually to ensure all information is current and accurate.

Definitions

Accident – An unplanned event or series of events that results in death, injury, occupational illness, damage to or loss of equipment or property, or damage to the environment.

Assessment – The process of measuring or judging the value or level of something.

Audit – A formal review and verification that evaluate whether an organization has complied with established policies and standards.

Authority – The person who can direct, control, or change the process and make critical decisions such as risk acceptance. This attribute also includes the concept of empowerment.

Aviation System – The functional operation or production system used by an organization to produce and aviation product or service.

Controls – Steps taken to eliminate or mitigate a hazard, by reducing the potential likelihood and/or severity.

Documentation – Written description of policies, processes, procedures, objectives, requirements, responsibilities, or work instructions.

Hazard – Any existing or potential condition that can lead to an injury, illness, or death; damage to or loss of a system, equipment, property, or environment.

Incident – A near-miss episode with minor consequences that could have resulted in greater loss. An incident indicates that a hazard or hazardous condition exists.

Likelihood – The estimated probability or frequency of an incident or accident occurrence related to a hazard.

Procedure – A specified way to conduct and activity or process.

Process – A set of interrelated or interacting activities that transform inputs into outputs.

Records – The evidence of results achieved or activities performed.

Residual Risk – The safety risk that exists after all controls have been implemented and verified.

Risk – The composite of predicted likelihood or severity of the potential effect of a given hazard.

Safety Objective – A goal or desirable outcome related to safety. Generally based on the organization’s safety policy and are normally measurable.

Severity – The degree of loss or harm resulting from a hazard.

System – An integrated set of constituent elements combined in an operational or support environment to accomplish a defined objective. A system includes people, hardware, software, firmware, information, procedures, facilities, services, or other support facets

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

   • 1.1 – Overview

   • 1.2 – SMS Fundamentals

   • 1.3 – Safety Culture

2. Safety Commitment

   • 2.1 – Overview

   • 2.2 – Safety Commitment Letter

   • 2.3 – Safety Council Meeting

   • 2.4 – Safety Objectives

   • 2.5 – APSU Aviation Safety Personnel

   • 2.6 – Compliance with Standards

   • 2.7 – Non-Punitive Reporting and “Just Culture”

   • 2.8 – Emergency Preparedness and Response

   • 2.9 – Documentation and Recordkeeping

3. Safety Risk Management

   • 3.1 – Overview

   • 3.2 – System Analysis

   • 3.3 – Hazard Identification

   • 3.4 – Mandatory Reporting

   • 3.5 – Safety Risk Assessment

   • 3.6 – Risk Control Measures

4. Safety Assurance

   • 4.1 – Overview

   • 4.2 – Safety Performance Monitoring and Measurement

   • 4.3 – Audits and Inspections

5. Safety Promotion

   • 5.1 – Overview

   • 5.2 – Safety Training

   • 5.3 – Safety Communication

   • 5.4 – Recordkeeping

6. Reporting Process

   • 6.1 – Hazard Reporting Process

   • 6.2 – Accident/Incident Reporting Process

7. Appendix

   • Aviation Hazard Reporting Form

   • Ground Accident/Incident Reporting Form

   • Aircraft Accident/Incident Report