How you communicate safety can make the biggest difference to how well your SMS actually works. While policies and procedures set expectations, it’s what you do day-to-day that makes safety stick.
One operator showing how this can work in practice is the Microflite Group. As part of their safety promotion approach, they recently launched an internal magazine, OneFlite, bringing together safety stories, lessons learnt, operational updates and people profiles in a single, accessible format.
For them, it’s not just about sharing information – it’s about building connection. As CEO Rod Higgins explains, ‘OneFlite is more than a publication. It represents visibility, learning and connection across the organisation. It reflects who we are today – and who we are becoming. Because when we share the bigger picture and the people within it, we build safer operations, a stronger culture and a better organisation for everyone. That’s the real value of safety promotion.’
What this means for your SMS
Safety promotion is one of the 4 core parts of an SMS, alongside policy, risk management and assurance. But it’s often the part that turns a documented system into something people actually use.
Effective safety promotion helps your people understand:
- why safety processes are in place
- what their role is in managing risk
- what good safety behaviour looks like in everyday work.
It also encourages reporting, supports learning and keeps safety front of mind.
Making it work in your operation
Microflite’s Head of Safety, Quality and Compliance, Adela Benhammouche, says context matters. ‘When staff can see how incidents, decisions and improvements play out across the organisation, they develop a stronger understanding of the bigger picture and where they fit into it.’
You don’t need to produce a magazine to achieve this. What matters is choosing approaches that work for your size and operation. This might include:
- internal newsletters or videos.
- posters or visual reminders
- short briefings or updates
- safety meetings or toolbox talks
The key is consistency, relevance and understanding what works for the people in your organisation and how they receive information.
The takeaway
Good safety promotion isn’t about more communication, it’s about meaningful communication. When people understand the ‘why’ behind your SMS or a particular safety initiative, they’re more likely to engage with it, contribute to it and help improve safety outcomes.
Find out more
For further information on safety promotion:
- visit the CASA SMS webpages
- view our safety promotion YouTube video
- download the SMS resource kit
- contact an aviation safety advisor for advice.
