Safety Performance Indicators

Safety Performance Indicators (SPIs) are an important part of your Safety Management System (SMS). As part of your SMS Safety Assurance activities, SPIs provide crucial information for safety performance monitoring and measurement. But what are SPIs, and how do they work?

Here's an overview of how the safety performance monitoring and measurement process works-

1.???? Set a broad Safety Goal-

·?????? Example: “To be the safest airline in the USA.”

2.???? Develop Safety Objectives (what are we looking to do?)-

·?????? Example: Reduce FOD-related damage.

3.???? Develop Safety Indicators (how do we measure it?)-

·?????? Example: Number of FOD incident reports/month.

4.???? Develop Safety Targets (are we meeting our objectives?)-

·?????? Example: Reduce FOD incidents by 10% over the next three months

SPIs are flexible and can be developed for any type of safety process that is relevant and applicable to your organization. There are no specific number of SPIs that must be developed and monitored. It all depends on what’s important (critical, or of specific interest) for your operation. However, having too few, or too many, SPIs can lead to problems.

SPIs are categorized into either Lagging or Leading indicators. Lagging indicators are used for events that have already happened (reactive). Leading indicators are used for events that may happen sometime in the future (proactive/predictive). You will be using both Lagging and Leading indicators.

SPIs are also categorized as either Quantitative or Qualitative. Your SPIs will consist of a combination of both. Most indicators are Quantitative, which makes it easier for comparisons and detecting trends, as well as being objective. Qualitative indicators, on the other hand, are useful for measuring attitudes, beliefs, and opinions. Methods include interviews, observations, focus groups, and survey narratives. However, Qualitative indicators are subjective, so use caution when drawing conclusions!

SPIs and Performance-Based Oversight

As Civil Aviation Authorities (CAAs) continue to adapt Performance-Based Oversight (PBO), SPIs are providing a robust source of data for CAA risk profiling. When the CAA Inspector conducts a Performance-Based Audit (PBA), these SPI trends are reviewed. Since the audit is based on performance rather than compliance, safety trends are going to be assessed. This is the major difference from a compliance audit, where the Service Provider either complies, or does not comply, with specific rules or regulations.

The Service Provider’s SPIs are going to offer insight into the overall safety of the operation. But SPIs are not the only part of the hazard identification and risk management process assessed by the CAA during the audit. Many other things will be looked at as well, such as safety culture, management of change, and the financial health of the operation. This will be done using a combination of methods, including a facility walk-around, and interviews with managers and employees.

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I will be presenting a virtual course on SPIs in April. This course will provide attendees with the knowledge and tools to effectively develop, implement, and use SPIs as part of their organization's safety assurance processes and as part of their overall SMS. Click here for course details https://www.tacgworldwide.com/Safety-Performance-Indicators-SPIs-Virtual-Course

Dr. Bob Baron conducts aviation safety training, consulting, and program implementation for aviation operators on a global basis.

Sensitive and knowledgeable about various cultures, Dr. Baron uses his 36+ years of academic and practical experience to assist aviation organizations in their pursuit of safety and quality excellence. He has extensive experience working with developing nations and island countries. He also provides training and consulting to some of the largest airlines and aircraft manufacturers in the world, as well as civil aviation authorities and accident investigation bureaus.

If your aviation organization is interested in improving its culture, implementing programs such as Human Factors, SMS, SSP, or LOSA, or have an external, unbiased safety audit/Gap analysis, please get in touch.

Dr. Baron’s company, TACG, provides numerous training, consulting, and auditing services. For more information, please go to https://www.tacgworldwide.com