Chapter 5
Elements of Effective Aviation Safety Programs
1. Describe in detail the importance of leadership support for safety programs and
initiatives. What are some of the ways in which leaders can demonstrate support for
leadership within their organizations?
The answer to this question may vary widely, but should include the concept that
leadership and its core values are the foundation of safety programs, initiatives, and
2. Why is it important for front-line employees to be included in the development and
implementation of safety programs? Describe some of the assets that front-line
employees may bring into the safety planning process.
It is important to include front-line employees in the development or safety programs and
processes to gain their buy-in and provide them with a sense of ownership. Front-line
3. Describe the basics of an internal evaluation program (IEP).
IEP is a proactive approach to safety by assessing the state of the departments of an
aviation organization with respect to compliance or non-compliance with regulatory
What are the basic elements of the IEP process?
System-oriented, independent, goes beyond basic regulatory compliance, has defined
Discuss some of the ways that an IEP may benefit an aviation company.
Discussion can include a number of areas but should go toward ensuring regulatory
4. Why is the practice of internal auditing so important for aviation companies?
To identify any areas of regulatory non-compliance, areas of risk and hazard, non-
Compare and contrast self-auditing with comprehensive auditing.
Discussion should go toward self-audits are those conducted by the persons that work in a
certain location or department, and are an audit of the area(s) in which they work. Self-
scheduled inspection date so that the auditor(s) have adequate time in which to prepare
for their task. Comprehensive safety audits are often conducted by specific individuals
5. As described in this chapter, what are the basic steps of conducting an incident
investigation? Why it is important to identify all of the causal factors of an event? How
does the development of corrective actions factor into the investigation process?
First, note that for any injuries that occur, the injured persons are to be cared for
immediately. The first step in the investigation process is to gather all available
6. Describe in detail why a safety reporting system is important for an aviation company to
employ. What are some of the possible benefits of a reporting process?
Discussion can include many different points, but should go toward providing a means to
report accidents, incidents, injuries, near-miss events, (as are defined in the incident
7. Why should a comprehensive and effective aviation safety program include specific
information and training on ground safety for employees?
8. An organization has experienced an increase in the number of injury claims over the last
three consecutive years. Describe the process by which the organization would determine
which issues are driving the losses and any methodologies for generating the biggest
gains.
The answer to this question should center on conducting a worksite analysis to determine
loss areas (most frequent and severe occurrences) as well as the completion of a gap
9. The same organization above experienced 205 injuries in 2007, 233 injuries in 2008, and
256 injuries in 2009 over the same time frame during the year. The total actual hours
worked were 11,205,505, 10,605,876, and 11,342,110 for each year, respectively.
Calculate the injury rates for each year and the percentage of increase for each year.
To answer this question, each year must be calculated individually using the formula
(from Chapter 2):