Aer Lingus 2012 Annual Report Download - page 35

ANNUAL REPORT 2012
33
Aer Lingus Safety Management System
Safety is a corporate value of Aer Lingus. We actively manage safety as
an integral part of all operations, both in the air and on the ground. We
are committed to maintaining a safe, healthy and sustainable working
environment wherever we operate – for our staff, our customers and the
public.
We are committed to implementing, developing and improving strategies,
management systems and processes to ensure that all our activities uphold
the highest level of safety performance. It is also our objective to promote
the safety, health and welfare of all employees and all those affected by
our activities so far as reasonably practicable. Safety depends on the co-
operation of all employees in the organisation. Our aim is not simply to
avoid accidents but to motivate and empower people to work safely.
In order to fulfil the commitments explicit in the Aer Lingus Safety Policy,
management will enforce the requirement to proactively manage risk in
the control of all activities of personnel and of the use of resources that
are directly related to, or necessary for, the delivery of service to our
customers. Recruitment practices, training and supervision of employees,
and the procurement of equipment to support service delivery activity are
all factors in the successful management of safety. Aer Lingus management
will ensure that all staff adhere to safety policy and controls, and that their
working environment remains conducive to carrying out their assigned
duties.
The Aer Lingus Safety Management System (SMS), as described in the
Safety Manual, provides the mechanism for management to deliver on this
commitment.
Aer Lingus’ SMS is directed by the Safety Manager. This role reports directly
to the Chief Executive, ensuring continued accountability and awareness
of these issues and their importance within the Group. The Safety Manager
has responsibility for the co-ordination and oversight of the key SMS
components; Air Safety, Health and Safety, Security, Quality Assurance and
Emergency Response Planning
The Aer Lingus SMS is subject to an ongoing continuous improvement
programme. In 2012 the process of integrating safety management into
the wider business continued, with improved linkages between such
diverse elements as training, strategic sourcing and operations control.
In 2012, Aer Lingus published a company wide Safety Plan, setting out
objectives and goals to ensure that all employees maintain their focus on
safety performance. The plan was co-ordinated and monitored by the
Air Safety Office, with quarterly progress reports published internally to
all managers and employees. In 2013, the Safety Plan has been further
enhanced to incorporate safety actions aimed at ensuring that Aer Lingus’
safety management activity conforms to best practice through the review of
industry benchmark publications.
The Group places great emphasis on proactive and predictive systems
to manage safety. The SMS involves the ongoing routine collection and
analysis of safety data during the ordinary course of business, which enables
proactive management. This includes a Flight Data Monitoring Programme,
a Confidential Safety Reporting System and a Hazard Identification and
Risk Analysis (HIRA) programme. The principles of air safety management
are integral to all Aer Lingus’ training programmes. Courses are designed
around the prevention of accidents and incidents and cover all aspects
of our operation, including the handling of dangerous goods, aviation
security and emergency response planning. Staff training in all operational
departments is mandatory. Training records and processes are regularly
subject to external review and audit. Aer Lingus is subject to regular safety
reviews, in particular from the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) and our partner
airlines.
In 2012, the Air Safety Office continued its mission of delivering training to
all operational divisions, and now also routinely trains staff from our third
party handling contractors.
Aer Lingus is registered as an IOSA Operator under the IATA Operational
Safety Audit Programme. The IOSA programme is an internationally
recognised and accepted evaluation system designed to assess the
operational management and control systems of an airline.
Aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul are critical to the safety and
comfort of Aer Lingus’ passengers, the efficient use of its aircraft and the
optimisation of its fleet utilisation. The Aer Lingus maintenance system is
subject to repeated audit inspections by the IAA.
There is a programme of continual review to ensure ongoing compliance
with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, and the General
Applications Regulations 2007 and with all relevant safety regulations, as
well as the integration of Health & Safety into the Airline’s flight safety &
accident prevention programme.
Information and advice for customers on air travel and health is available
on the Group’s website, www.aerlingus.com, in the inflight magazine,
Cara, and through onboard announcements and videos.
Air Safety
Aer Lingus’ Air Safety Office acts as an independent monitor of air safety risk
management. This office focuses on accident prevention, hazard and risk
analysis and promotes best practice and awareness throughout the Group.
The Air Safety Office is also responsible for management of Flight Data
Monitoring. This is a safety process whereby flight performance is regularly
monitored using telemetry to identify any areas of risk and is used in both
operational and maintenance planning. The Air Safety Office operates the
Group’s Air Safety Reporting System, its incident and happening database
and a Confidential Safety reporting system.
SAFETY AND SECURITY STATEMENT Aer Lingus Group Plc
SAFETY AND SECURITY STATEMENT