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2025-02-20

Top 10 Most Common Safety Management Mistakes

We’ve consulted with safety managers and safety staff and reviewed real-life scenarios to compile a shortlist of the most common safety management mistakes organizations make … and how to overcome them.

Let’s take a look:

1. Failure to Identify Hazards
⛔ Hazards like incorrect loadsheet information or unnoticed maintenance issues can escalate quickly.
✅ Focus on a proactive safety management system, continuous hazard identification, regular risk assessments and an open reporting culture.

2. Missing Near-Misses
⛔ Near-misses are golden opportunities to learn, yet they’re often forgotten.
✅ Simplify reporting processes and celebrate near-miss reports to encourage openness.

3. Unstructured Data Analysis
⛔ The correlation between the various data sources is often overlooked and remains untapped.
✅ Use powerful SMS software to identify trends and make data-driven safety decisions.

4. Poor Communication
⛔ Misunderstood safety updates or SOPs can lead to preventable errors.
✅ Ensure clear communication through briefings, visual aids, and feedback loops.

5. Having the Wrong Tool for the Job
⛔ Generic office software is not a safety risk management tool and increases risks and reduces efficiency.
✅ Invest in purpose-built tools and systems designed for aviation safety, such as dedicated risk management software.

6. Forgetting Not Everyone Speaks English
⛔ Miscommunication with non-native English speakers can compromise safety.
✅ Provide multilingual training and promote cultural awareness to build trust.

7. Offering Rates-Focused Rewards
⛔ Rewarding “injury-free” records may lead to incident cover-ups.
✅ Shift focus to rewarding proactive safety behaviors like hazard reporting.

8. Not Setting a Good Example
⛔ Leadership ignoring safety protocols sends the wrong message.
✅ Senior management must actively engage in safety initiatives and “walk the talk”.

9. Being Complacent
⛔ “It won’t happen here” is a dangerous mindset.
✅ Regular training, SPIs, and a culture of vigilance prevent complacency.

10. Reactive Processes
⛔ Addressing risks only after incidents limits progress.
✅ Use tools like BowTie analysis and safety risk assessments to anticipate risks.