This issue highlights the importance of fostering a collaborative industry culture where operators actively share safety reporting, learnings, and best practices. Strengthening this culture supports continuous improvement in aviation safety.
What can operators do?
- Increase hazard reporting: There is a need to promote broader hazard reporting beyond those incidents operators must report under the ATSB Transport Safety Investigation Regulations. Sector safety performance data suggests lower reporting rates in this sector.
- Encourage organisation-wide reporting: Operators should empower and encourage all staff to identify and report hazards and safety issues. This requires accessible and effective safety reporting systems across all levels of the organisation.
- Promote a positive safety culture: Organisations build a robust safety culture on the commitment of both management and employees to:
- prioritise safety
- learn from past experiences
- maintain awareness of aviation-related risks within the organisation
- clearly distinguish acceptable from unacceptable behaviour
- Create location-based safety teams: Operators should consider:
- forming local safety working groups (for example, Runway Safety Teams)
- engaging with nearby aerodromes and flight schools to discuss hazard trends and shared concerns.
- Invest in safety training and education: Build on lessons learned from both ATSB investigation reports and internal safety reviews. Embedding this knowledge into training helps to develop a proactive safety culture.
What is CASA doing or has already delivered?
CASA continues to encourage collaborative approaches between organisations and their operational areas. This supports a deeper understanding of hazards and aviation risks specific to each operation. CASA also provides access to relevant regulatory guidance, supporting material, and safety data where appropriate.
CASA remains committed to including aviation service providers in ongoing discussions on key safety issues through industry forums such as SSRP workshops.