ACCURATE COMMODEAL PRIVATE REF.NO.

ACPL/SMS/01
LIMITED ISSUE NO: I
DATE FEB 2018
SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
MANUAL
REV.NO. 00
CHAPTER – 12
REV. DATE. NIL

CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT AND SMS AUDIT

12. CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT AND SMS AUDIT
12.1 Objective is to identify the causes of sub-standard performance of the SMS, determine
the implications of sub-standard performance in operations, and eliminate suchcauses.
12.2 Continuous improvement and SMS Audit is one of the three elements of the safety
assurance component of the SMS and will be complied in accordance with Accurate
Commodeal Pvt. Ltd’s Flight Safety Manual, Chapter -7, INTERNAL / REGULATORY
SAFETY AUDIT PROGRAMME.
Assurance builds on the principle of the continuous improvement cycle. In much the
same way that quality assurance facilitates continuous improvements in quality, safety
assurance ensures control of safety performance, including regulatory compliance,
through constant verification and improvement of the operational system and services.
These objectives are achieved through the application of similar tools: internal
evaluations and independent audits (both internal and external), strict document
control and ongoing monitoring of safety controls and mitigation actions.
12.3 ACPL’s continuous improvement processes are as follows:
12.3.1 Performance Verification Tools:
a) Internal evaluations involve the evaluation of the operational activities of the
organization as well as the SMS-specific functions. The evaluations can be
conducted by Accountable Manager, Safety manager, or an external agency.
b) Internal audits are an important tool for managers, used to obtain information with
which to make decisions and to keep operational activities on track. Thus internal
audits are an essential tool for safety assurance, to help managers in charge of
activities supporting the delivery of services to control that, once safety risk controls
have been implemented, they continue to perform and are effective in maintaining
continuing operational safety.
c) External audits of the SMS may be conducted by the regulator, customer
organizations, or other third parties selected by the organization or the regulator.
These audits not only provide a strong interface with the oversight system but also a
secondary assurance system. ACPL may use help of external agencies if it feels a
need.
12.3.2 Evaluation and Improvement Areas
 Continuous improvement of the SMS thus aims at determining the immediate
causes of below standard performance and their implications in the operation of the
SMS, and rectifying situations involving below standard performance identified
through safety assurance activities. Continuous improvement is achieved through
internal evaluations, internal and external audits and applies to:
 Proactive and reactive evaluation of facilities, equipment, documentation and
procedures, for example, through internal evaluations;
 Proactive evaluation of an individual’s performance, to verify the fulfillment of that
individual’s safety responsibilities, for example, through periodic competency
checks;
 Reactive evaluations in order to verify the effectiveness of the system for control

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 ACCURATE COMMODEAL PRIVATE REF.NO. ACPL/SMS/01
LIMITED ISSUE NO: I
DATE FEB 2018
SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
MANUAL
REV.NO. 00
CHAPTER – 12
REV. DATE. NIL

CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT AND SMS AUDIT

and mitigation of safety risks, for example, through internal and external audits.

12.4 Safety Audits

12.4.1 Safety audits are conducted in order to assess the degree of compliance with the
applicable safety regulatory requirements and with the procedural provisions of a
SMS. They are intended to provide assurance of the safety management functions,
including staffing, compliance with applicable regulations, levels of competency and
training. Safety audits are used to ensure that:
 Organization’s SMS has a sound structure and adequate staffing levels;
 Approved procedures and instructions are complied with;
 The required level of personnel competency and training to operate equipment
and facilities, and to maintain their levels of performance, is achieved;
 Equipment performance is adequate for the safety levels of the service provided;
 Effective arrangements exist for promoting safety, monitoring safety performance
and processing safety issues;
 Adequate arrangements exist to handle foreseeable emergencies.
12.4.2 Safety audits are carried out by Safety Manager or Director of Operations (if prior
approval is given by Safety Manager). ACPL conducts safety audits annually. The
aim is to disclose the strengths and weaknesses, to identify areas of non-tolerable
risk and devise rectification measures.
12.4.3 Safety audits may be conducted externally by DGCA, internally - by the Safety
Manager or by a qualified external safety auditor, for example a consultancy agency.

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