SMS - Safety management systems

Safety management systems (SMS) are a formal risk management framework to improve safety.

What is SMS?

Under SMS, organisations have systems for hazard identification and risk management, safety targets and reporting processes, procedures for audit, investigations, remedial actions, and safety education.

Implementing a SMS will provide an organisation with a simple and organised approach to preventing accidents or incidents, and is considered smart business management. A successfully implemented SMS will drive better safety performance. In turn, this will lead to a more profitable business.

Real people, real stories

Examples of SMS in action from the aviation community.

(external link)

Safety at MetService

SMS resource kit

This series of four booklets forms part of our participant resource kit. The kit contains practical advice about how to improve current systems, and explains the steps that can be taken to successfully, systematically, and proactively, manage safety.

Booklet 01 - Safety Management Systems (SMS) An Introduction

Booklet 02 - From Quality Management Systems to Safety Management Systems An Enhancement Guide

Booklet 03 - Implementing Safety Management Systems Guidelines for Small Aviation Organisations

Booklet 04 - Aviation Risk Management - An Introduction

Other SMS resources

Draft appendix to Advisory Circular AC137-1 Agricultural aircraft operations [PDF 99 KB]
This appendix is intended to provide guidance material on how to develop an SMS manual and associated documentation for smaller organisations that have not previously been required to produce an exposition or manual.

Part 100 Safety Management, which came into force on 01 February 2016, prescribes requirements for SMS.

AC100-1 Safety Management provides explanatory information and examples of how to comply with Part 100.

AC100-1 Components of an SMS, at a glance [PDF 248 KB]

Part 100 Safety Management relationship to AC100-1 Elements and ICAO Annex 19 SMS Framework [PDF 158 KB]

See our frequently asked questions about SMS.

Vector SMS articles [PDF 21 MB] - A collection of SMS-related articles from Vector magazine through to March 2020.

View all our SMS-related publications