...or gourmet alphabet soup? A recipe for "Safety On The Ramp" is once again being stirred up, the question is who, or how many, will serve it up.
The subject of ramp safety is certainly not a new topic. Yet as the aviation industry continues to grow and become more sophisticated (and expensive), so too has ground handling and the need for comprehensive safety management policies on the ramp.
In April, I had the opportunity to visit with several groups and organizations, each of which is evaluating, re-evaluating, researching, designing and hoping to develop a global safety management program specifically for the ramp. The Flight Safety Foundation (FSF), International Air Transport Association (IATA), National Air Transportation Association (NATA) in conjunction with the Airline Services Council (ASC-an arm of NATA) and the Airport Operations Safety Panel (AOSP-formed by the Armbrust Aviation Group) all have their safety ladle in the pot of ramp operations. Each is brewing up an alphabet soup of safety management systems with a large cup of identifying concerns, making recommendations, seeking solutions and setting goals for the industry; with a tablespoon each of communication and cooperation.
What are the key elements each group is focusing on? Do these elements and goals overlap? Should these groups be working more closely together on such an important topic? Should these programs/policies be unilateral...or universal? GSM will present an overview of each of the various safety programs designed by these organizations in our June/July issue and you can decide.
Thanks for reading!
