of risk. In other words, no amount of training is going to correct the fact that the system simply does not allow the inspectors to alter inspection patterns based on risk for certain audited elements. 2. FAA also relied on training as a
remedy to the failing in the risk assessment tool, and DOT-OIG felt that this would be inadequate because some of the design- based failings and limitations of the risk- based system needed to be modified. Once again, training won’t correct the fact that DOT OIG found that the tools themselves are inadequate. 3. Finally, DOT-OIG expressed concern
that “FAA still lacks a method for verifying whether inspectors actually meet the requirements” especially in light of the audit finding that showed that “many inspectors do not effectively prioritize their inspections based on risk.” This gets to the problem of metrics. If you cannot measure compliance (ensuring that inspectors are following the rules) and you know that you
have compliance problems (inspectors are not prioritizing inspections based on risk) then you need to develop a way to identify the non-compliances (through metrics) so you can target a solution. The fact that FAA continues to have
problems with effective use of risk assessment tools reflects a bigger problem for the agency than just repair station oversight. The FAA has been trying to better use hazard identification, risk assessment and risk mitigation as the foundation for safety management in the aviation industry. If the FAA has not yet been able to train its employees to properly use risk assessment tools to guide their efforts, then how can FAA expect industry to use those same tools? More importantly, in an age when the FAA is unable to undertake certain functions for lack of resources, why is the FAA wasting resources that should be better directed using risk management tools? The FAA has recognized some of the
underlying problems associated with its own use of risk management tools, and is trying to correct these in its implementation of SMS regulations for the aviation industry. The FAA has formed an aviation rulemaking committee (ARC) that is investigating these issues and will propose new regulations to better promote effective use of risk assessment in safety management. The ARC report is expected early next year. AM
Aviation Maintenance |
avm-mag.com | May 2013 39
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