How can aviation organizations improve safety culture?

One thing I've found helpful is conducting regular safety culture assessments, involving employees at all levels to gather insights into the current state of safety practices and attitudes. Actually, I disagree with a top-down approach. Fostering open communication and encouraging reporting at all levels can uncover valuable information for improving safety culture. An example I've seen is implementing safety reporting systems that prioritize anonymity. This empowers employees to share concerns without fear of reprisal, contributing to a more accurate assessment of the safety culture within an aviation organization.

One thing I've found helpful is establishing safety committees with representatives from various departments, involving employees in decision-making processes related to safety. Actually, I disagree with overlooking frontline workers' input. Actively seeking and valuing their insights can lead to more practical and effective safety improvements. An example I've seen is implementing safety suggestion programs that empower employees to propose safety enhancements. Recognizing and implementing viable suggestions not only improves safety culture but also fosters a sense of ownership among the workforce.

La organización debe promulgar la cultura de la seguridad desde lo más alto, involcurando en ella a todos los empleados. Acciones que se pueden llevar a cabo para potenciarla pueden ser: 1. Premios y reconocimeintos a areas que cumplan más días sin accidentes laborales 2. Reconocimientos personales a empleados que destaquen por su labor en promulgar e implementar la cultura de seguridad 3. Eventos especiales con ponencias, actividades,simulacros... 4. Sistema de reporte anónimo de acciones inseguras implementando acciones correctivas que salvaguarden la seguridad

Culture can neither be developed overnight nor can taught. It needs to be inculcated by Top to Bottom approach. Safety is not miracle or happenstance but it should involuntary automatic behaviour like breathing. It has to come from within and this has to be taught and reminded everyone every time so as to make habit of Safety First. Pictorial graphics of typical safety issues or hazard of not following SOP is one of the simple and effective way of reminding people which can be eventually turn it into habit.

Yes, communication with employees is very important as human errors cause a lot of accidents in fact Human error is the top cause of most accidents. But the given article is just a surface scratcher. There are a lot of things to do. For safety concerns, Rules and Regulations should be taught and should be fully comprehended by employees and must exercise and communicate every day. Secondly, From a maintenance perspective, There are proper guides and manuals to do maintenance work for specific tasks, how to perform them and which tools or order should be used to perform them effectively. Maintenance Workers should be taught to read manuals and perform each and every task by reading them.

One thing I've found helpful is regular communication on safety matters through various channels, ensuring that employees are well-informed about current safety initiatives and protocols. Actually, I disagree with assuming a one-time training approach. Continuous education, workshops, and drills are essential to reinforce safety practices and keep them at the forefront of employees' minds. An example I've seen is the use of engaging communication tools, such as safety newsletters or interactive training modules. These methods enhance understanding and retention of safety information, contributing to a more informed and safety-conscious workforce.

La comunicación es clave en cuanto a la seguridad, como en todo en la aviación. De la misma manera que es importante la comunicación por parte del personal hacia la organización es fundamental la comunicación de todas las acciones que se toman procedentes de los reportes. De otro modo el personal dejará de reportar al ver que su información no es tenida en cuenta. Otro aspecto fundamental es que se debe investigar sobre "el qué" y no "el quién" ya que el buscar culpables no resolverá el problema y además hará que las personas dejen de reportar por miedo a represalias.

One thing I've found helpful is establishing key performance indicators (KPIs) to monitor safety metrics regularly, providing a quantitative basis for assessing the effectiveness of safety initiatives. Actually, I disagree with relying solely on lagging indicators. Incorporating leading indicators, like near-miss reporting and proactive safety activities, offers a more comprehensive view of an organization's safety performance. An example I've seen is the implementation of safety audits and inspections at regular intervals. These systematic evaluations help identify potential hazards and ensure ongoing adherence to safety protocols, contributing to a proactive safety culture.

Audit reports are important but they aren't gathered daily, rather there are daily memos and tasks cards which are used by aviation engineers and maintenance workers to perform daily tasks effectively and to pass the information from shift to shift, and person to person. Monitoring should also be done on the mental and physical health of workers because aviation tasks are very hectic and stressful. If a worker is not in good health, he/she can miss any important task due to sickness and can be a cause of an accident.

Si se quiere mejorar es fundamental medir y monitorizar los indicadores que se hayan seleccionado. Un ejemplo de indicadores podria ser: 1) A nivel accidentabilidad laboral: días sin accidentes, accidentes/horas trabajadas, accidentes "in itinere".. 2) A nivel operacional: Eventos de seguridad como In Flight Shutdown, Diversion, ATBs, RTOs... Estos tienen que ser medidos y controlados para mantenerlos bajo ciertos límites máximos y en la medida de lo posible con tendencia a reducirse. Deberán tomarse acciones concretas en caso de que puntualmente se pueda producir un peak de eventos

One thing I've found helpful is leadership demonstrating a strong commitment to safety by consistently following protocols and actively participating in safety initiatives. Actually, I disagree with a disconnect between leadership and safety practices. When leaders actively engage in safety procedures, it sets a powerful example for the entire organization. An example I've seen is leaders participating in safety drills and visibly prioritizing safety in their decision-making. This fosters a culture where every member, from top to bottom, recognizes the importance of safety and is motivated to contribute to a safer working environment.