Aerospace is a safety-critical field, which means the success of any company in the industry hinges on its safety processes. No matter how thorough they are in creating these processes, it doesn’t count for much if they’re not maintained properly.
Even the most talented safety team can find themselves making dangerous errors if they cannot keep the integrity of their processes. The evolution of industry technology complicates this even more. Here are three steps to help ensure your team stays on top of it.
1. Accessible, understandable documentation
Documentation is your best asset in maintaining your processes, no matter what happens with your staff. The operation of complex aviation systems will throw curveballs no one can anticipate 100%. The related safety processes are equally complicated. Your team needs clear directions to make sure all the details are attended to, every single time. Also, turnover is inevitable and new employees need direct guidance to do the job right from day one.
The documentation needs to come in a form that makes it easy to use (info on tablets, instruction sheets, etc.). Its constant use needs to be mandatory, as the risk of working “off book” is too great.
2. Beware of routines
As processes are followed over a long period, they become more routine to the staff. Routines are dangerous because they make us intellectually lazy and prone to mistakes.
Continuing education is the best way to this from happening. It will introduce the team to new angles for their work and information to keep improving what’s in place.
You could also look at breaking up tasks in a way that allows team members to rotate responsibilities. Changing their focus keeps the work fresh.
3. It’s all about the people
It’s understandable why aerospace recruiting teams would put such emphasis on experience and knowledge of standards when bringing in new team members. The ideal is always someone who can hit the ground running.
This isn’t where your screening should end, though. A candidate can have the right industry knowledge, but not the right personality to make sure efforts are consistent. For senior-level positions, you need the right mix of knowledge and a track record that shows they’ve maintained safety efforts over the long haul.
For less experienced hires, it’s important to put even more emphasis on their communication skills (including listening) and attitude. This will be the key to them learning what they need to and keeping their work at a high level over time.
Looking for Aerospace
The Structures Company understands how to find you candidates with these essential qualities. We do this through our industry expertise, network, and relationships. Our track record in aerospace recruitment and staffing speaks to our ability to deliver the people you need. Contact us today to figure out how we can best serve you.