It makes good sense

 Using SMS is simply adopting a businesslike approach to safety, similar to the way that finances are managed. Unless a company experiences a loss, or critically assesses both the direct and indirect costs of an occurrence, the full implications are unlikely to be appreciated. The direct costs are usually easy to quantify, they include damage to the aircraft, compensation for injuries and damage to property and are usually settled through an insurance claim.

The indirect costs are more difficult to assess, these are often not covered or fully reimbursed by the company’s insurance and the impact is often delayed. This includes items such as:

 • Loss of business and reputation

 • Legal fees and damage claims

 • Medical costs not covered by worker’s compensation

• cost of lost use of equipment (loss of income)

 • Time lost by injured person(s) and cost of replacement workers

 • increased insurance premiums

 • Aircraft recovery and clean-up

Use of an SMS has clear business benefits:

 • Stability, safety and customer support – customers are aware some operations are safer than others

 • Possible reduction in insurance premiums through demonstration of control of safety risks

• good work/life balance practices, for example adjustment of rosters to avoid most tiring shift/sector will give safety benefits, and can also improve staff/crew morale - potentially lowering staff turnover and reducing training costs

 • a proactive approach to safety can be demonstrated with documented evidence in the event of an incident or accident.