Advancing the new BARS program
Flight Safety Foundation has begun delivering training courses that advance implementation of the Basic Aviation Risk Standard (BARS) that will improve aviation safety in the global resources sector, or in any organization around the globe that uses contracted aviation services (ASW, 3/10, p.14).
Lead aviation safety auditors from Australia, South Africa and the United Kingdom this month became the first auditor group to complete the Foundation’s new training program, qualifying them to conduct BARS audits of aviation service providers.
Aviation contractors have been subjected to multiple audits every year to satisfy the safety requirements of each company they serve in the resources industry sector. The single BARS audit will take the place of these multiple audits as other members of the BARS program share the results.
“The BARS auditing system will ensure audits are carried out consistently across the industry and will ultimately mean fewer audits for individual aircraft operators,” said South African aviation safety specialist, Mike Litson, founder and CEO of Litson & Associates. In addition, the BARS audit will be much more comprehensive, conducted by aviation safety auditors accredited by the Flight Safety Foundation (FSF).
Litson hosted the first BARS Auditor Accreditation course at his well-equipped training facility in Cape Town, South Africa. During the two-day course, 11 experienced auditors received intensive training on how to apply the new risk-based auditing system to companies in the unique resources sector environment. “Every one of my own aviation advisers attended this course and it made sense to show my support to the BARS program by offering my facilities,” he said.
“Word of mouth about this course is flying around our aviation community, and it’s a privilege to be involved with something the industry is so excited and passionate about.”
The first two Aviation Coordinator Courses were held in Perth and Brisbane, Australia, in August and September. More than 30 resource company employees from companies including BHP Billiton, Harmony Gold, MMG, Newcrest Mining and Newmont Mining were trained on how to use the new standard to identify possible threats and risks and to minimize those threats.
Additional courses will be held in Africa, Australia, Canada, Guinea, Indonesia and South Africa in coming months.
The Flight Safety Foundation’s BARS program is the first focusing specifically on aviation safety for the resources sector by creating:
- A new risk-based international aviation standard
- A new auditing program tailored to the standard
- A range of aviation safety training programs
- Global safety data analysis program
To find out more, contact the BARS program office: +61 1300 557 162 or fox@flightsafety.org