Elevating Safety Through Professionalism

Elevating Safety Through Professionalism

In aviation, Safety and Professionalism are two words we often think of and come to expect. They can however be taken for granted and it is plausible to suggest that we have reached a point where we accept these important attributes with some complacency. The difference between what it means to be a professional, and what professionalism actually means is often given little regard. And though we intuitively understand what safety is, or when something is safe, we can find ourselves satisfied with our situation and how far we’ve come while forgetting how we even got there. Human factors has shown us that we inevitably have a tendency to lapse, and oftentimes can fall victim to complacency and deviance, all while actively assimilating to cultural norms.

Professionalism and Safety are inter-related and harbor a symbiotic relationship which have a direct impact on one other.

The word “Professional” typically refers to someone who engages in a specified occupation or activity for compensation, or as a means of earning a living. Professionals display a certain skill, and or have specialized knowledge. Possessing an MBA, or being a CPA, or having an Airline Transport Certificate enables one to participate in a particular field. But does it mean that one is conducting their duties and responsibilities in that field “professionally?”

“Professionalism” on the other hand, does not come with possessing a certain Certificate or Rating, or achieving a master’s degree but is more accurately defined by a particular Quality, Character, or Conduct which is expected and then further exhibited by a professional. Professionalism is NOT about the job you do; it’s about HOW YOU DO the job that you do.

Now, the word “safe” is grammatically categorized as a noun, and its use goes back as early as the 12th century. It wasn’t until 1916 when the Society of Automotive Engineers published its first SAE Bulletin. A publication utilizing the word “safety,” for the first time, as a transitive verb. As action. We’ve understood the concept of something being “safe” since 1150 AD, and it took us nearly 800 years before using the word “safe” in the English language as something in “action.” Something we actively do. The concept of safety since, has improved dramatically.

Does safety end when we land, when we reach our destination and put the aircraft back in the hangar? Is safety something we achieve, or is there something more we can do? 

Safety, by definition, is not just a thing, or a destination, or a place we can ever ultimately get to. It’s not simply a noun, or a static concept. Safety is “action.” A continuous process. A journey. A journey that requires persistence and vigilance in the face of complacency and deviance. 

It’s not “what” safety is… it’s “how we do” safety that matters.

And “Professionalism” is NOT about the job you do; it’s about HOW YOU DO the job that you do. 

It’s through action that we have the potential to elevate safety through professionalism. 

The presentation will also include a case study from an accident that took place near Whitesville, KY where a student and flight instructor were fatally injured. It becomes evident that professionalism and even common decency was disregarded. All 5 of the Hazardous Attitudes as defined in the Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge were blatantly exhibited by both the flight instructor and student pilot. Additionally, Threat and Error Management concepts highlighting the inter-relationship between safety and human performance will be introduced as well as Threat and Error Management Behavioral Markers which are a cornerstone of leadership, professional character, quality, and conduct.

Presenter