Aviation Safety, Security and Emergency Planning Report

Introduction

Safety, security, and emergency planning are the most fundamental elements that every aviation organization endeavors to accomplish. Given the irrefutable merits of realizing these aspects, the aviation firms certainly consider following robust and global regulatory frameworks. In doing so, the companies often pay attention to some of the important aspects, which include but not limited to human factors, accident causation model, and adherence to the rules and directions given by safety management systems. Additionally, firms seek to critically assess aspects that can promote security. In particular, corporations address security screening devices and develop effective procedures to use them. Given the diversity of human perceptions concerning security checks, aviation enterprises strive to understand the consequences of the aforementioned process. The report discourses the elements that are key considerations in aviation safety, security, and emergency planning.

Regulatory Framework of Aviation Safety

A retrospect of the security regulation in aviation industries unearths three particular layers that compose the safety regulatory framework. The first level is the International Regulatory Arrangement. Concerning this layer, its requirements are outlined by the United Nations’ agency entitled the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) (Alfothence, 2015). Safety standards, strategies, regulations, and recommendations that are applicable at a global scale are given by this level of the regulatory framework. According to Alfothence (2015), the ICAO is responsible for overseeing the safety regulatory frameworks adopted by the member states across the globe. The agency does this obligation through the Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (Alfothence, 2015). Over the past years, ICAO has been making changes in its outlines chiefly to handle the tremendously expounding safety issues.

The second and third layers are the Regional Regulatory Arrangement and the National Regulatory Requirement, respectively. Alfothence (2015) defines it as a layer that cedes obligations at national levels, for instance, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) under European Union. The main responsibility of this level of security regulatory framework is to provide certification to the establishment of feasibility assessments of aircraft. Evaluation of design, maintenance of aeronautical commodities, and assessment of manufacturer operation systems are governed by this layer (Alfothence, 2015). Besides, the level is involved in the certification of personnel and firms that run aircraft businesses. The last layer, which is the National Regulatory Requirement, is also an essential part of the framework. The national legislation of each of the member states designs regulations that they find apt in their specific country. These are the basic elements of the regulatory framework of aviation safety.

Regulatory Framework of Aviation Security

The regulatory framework of aviation security encompasses all the operations done either on the ground or air to increase the chances of aircraft being secure. Based on US aviation, as an exemplar in this case, the security issue is under Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which also collaborates with nongovernmental and private agencies. Alfothence (2015) cites that the National Transport Safety Board (NTSB) and the Canada Air Transport Security Authority are other organizations responsible for security in the country. Under this framework, the organizations mandated to maintain security in nay nation’s aviation industry are responsible for collecting data concerning incidents at a timely rate. The security framework is shaped based on regulatory requirements discoursed earlier in safety regulatory systems. Each of the responsible bodies develops multi-layer approaches that differ depending on the security threats that are tackled. Amongst the strategies that are often included in this regulatory framework is security screening. Under this process, security bodies in the airports check the travelers’ documents, carriages, and bodies to ensure that the aircraft is safe.

Regulatory Framework of Aviation Accident Investigation

Investigation of accidents in aviation industries requires a well-developed framework. Given the deplorable aftermaths that are often instigated by aircraft incidents, the regulatory structure is highly structured and protected from unplanned public exposure. The framework comprises many factions and entails legislation bodies whose primary role is determining the scope and mandates of accident investigation teams. The investigators are the focal point of the accident investigation framework. The factions perform their duties by basing their research on technical and meteorological data that indicate the cause of the accident. Accredited representatives and advisers selected by a state are also part of this group. The whole team establishes the cause of the accident, location, and records the aftermaths experienced. The team obtains this information from the aircraft control units, observers, participants, and inspection of the flight recorder. After the full information is received, the group develops reports with a justifiable conclusion that depicts the course and cause of accidents, the liability, actions taken, number of fatalities, and recommendations based on the regulatory acts.

The Importance of Human Factors in Addressing Aviation Safety

Human factors are considered as some of the most important aspects to consider in addressing aviation safety for several reasons. First, 70% of the total number of air crashes emanates from human errors (Alfothence, 2015). This huge figure cannot be ignored. Secondly, “the Human Factor involves a combination of factors including psychological state, environmental factors, emotional state as well as mental factors affects a flight crews decision making as they interact with an aircraft’s systems,” (Alfothence, 2015). This statement implies that human factors are dependent on numerous variables, and thus, the possibilities of complications are high. Thirdly, human variability is higher compared to other factors that affect aviation safety (Human Factors Strategy, 2010). It is often difficult to predict the possibilities of behavior change when compared to projection or estimation of chances of occurrence of craft or weather variability. Given such uncertainty of human factors, it becomes paramount to focus more on them. Fourthly, while technological returns continue to expound, the human failures are yet to be limited (Human Factors Strategy, 2010). The uncorrelation between human factors and the new industrial cycles, typified by super technologies, calls for the addressing of the possibilities to increase human consistency behavior conducts. Fifthly, humans are the focal point of safety maintenance. Indisputably, a failure in human factors would affect aircraft safety with less immediate mitigations. Lastly, while humans have been found as the most factor that results in aircraft accidents, addressing their factor is likely to challenge them and unearth the predisposing elements that affect them. Thus, human factors should be considered in addressing aviation safety.

The Accident Causation Models

In the investigation of the cause of the accidents, the inspectors employ a regulatory framework that is structured on three accident causation model. The first model is the simple linear. Under this category, the causes of accidents are environmental, mechanical problems and or individual factors (Alfothence, 2015). The second model is complex-linear, which comprises the causes that are based on unsafe conditions. The last model is the complex non-linear. For this category, the causes covered emanate from a mutual interaction of variables. In the third model, the cause of the accidents is assumed to be preventable simply by comprehending the interaction of the aforementioned factors.

The Use of Safety Management Systems in Aviation

Safety Management System (SMS) is chiefly used for safety risk management. Concerning this obligation, SMS covers broad aspects that are all oriented to the manipulation of aviation safety. The initial setting of this faction is the establishment of a safety policy. This exercise entails the description of generic principles that govern the acceptable level of safety that a firm adheres to (Safety Management System, 2019). The second setting is safety planning and implementation. The retorts on the queries inquiring on the best strategies to use and procedures to follow are given at this particular level. The third setting is safety assurance and evaluation whereby intensive monitoring of all undertakings in the aviation industry is done. The final setting is safety improvement, which is the core use of SMS.

SMS is also used in several ways. Firstly, it performs safety performance motoring and analysis. Organizations rely on this institute to evaluate their efforts on safety promotion. Secondly, it plays a key role in the dissemination of information to all departments of aviation firms. Thirdly, it is useful in decision-making. Fourthly, it reinforces the corporate culture and due-diligence that are encompassed in an organization. Lastly, it integrates the overall management by introducing apt regulatory structures and business practices. These are the major uses of SMS.

Passenger Screening Devices and Procedures

Security measures are prioritized by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) before and after arriving at the airport. The process involves a series of screening procedures focused on checking for possible threats and inspecting dangerous items that could be introduced in the airport surrounding. This activity prevents the jeopardizing of the safety of the sensitive factions involved in airport transport, which ensures security. In history, grievous terror attacks have been experienced, which necessitated a plan for screening systems to be adopted. In this accord, screening devices incorporated by TSA are used to inspect both the travelers’ bodies and their luggage to ensure optimal security in the entire aviation sector and to clear doubts of anticipated dangers. They check for “metallic and nonmetallic weapons and explosives threat, either attached to a person’s body or within their carry-on baggage, are mitigated by enabling real-time decision-making and response capabilities with passenger and property scanning systems at the checkpoint” (Advanced Integrated Passenger and Baggage Screening Technologies, 2018). Below are the devices used by the TSA in the screening process.

Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT)

This device senses metallic and nonmetallic items attached to travelers at the screening checkpoint entrance (Advanced Integrated Passenger and Baggage Screening Technologies, 2018). Weapons, explosives, and items hidden under passengers’ clothes are revealed without engaging in physical contact with them. Transmitters in the AIT machine project waves on the passengers as they pass through the device. The rays reflect back to receivers to assess any possible anomalies in the passengers’ under coverings. AIT identifies the locality of the anomaly in the body and alarm beeps, which suggests that physical search by the device operators should be initiated. Eventually, the search for items that could be harmful to the passengers’ body is initiated.

Advanced Technology X-Rays (AT X-Rays)

This device checks about 3 million bags for explosives and barred objects and is situated at the checkpoint (Advanced Integrated Passenger and Baggage Screening Technologies, 2018). It utilizes X-rays to inspect the carry-on bag, which produces a visual image of threat materials depicted in different colors. The AT X-rays machine operator can differentiate diverse materials depending on the color exhibited during surveillance. In case a threat is detected in the bags, it should be opened for confirmation purposes.

Bottled Liquid Scanners (BLS)

Explosives are in the form of different states of matter. There are solid, liquid, and gaseous explosives. In particular, BLS distinguishes liquid explosives from other liquids that are carried by travelers (Advanced Integrated Passenger and Baggage Screening Technologies, 2018). This device inspects the liquid in the containers by examining its varied features without necessarily having to open the vessel. Most importantly, like the gaseous explosives, liquid ones are volatile and easily flammable. Therefore, the BLS machine is essential in mitigating potential accidents.

Boarding Pass Scanners (BPS)

Before boarding an airplane, travelers should identify all the passengers on board. A BPS machine checks the passengers’ details coded in the boarding pass (Advanced Integrated Passenger and Baggage Screening Technologies, 2018). The device reveals the “name, flight information, and risk status to the Travel Document Checker (TDC)” (Advanced Integrated Passenger and Baggage Screening Technologies, 2018). Thereafter, the description of travel status and the degree of security screening of each passenger can be identified. BPS functions as the main resource for verifying boarding passes, and therefore, there is no need for intensified manual crosschecking.

Credential Authentication Technology (CAT)

The transportation security officers (TSOs) should receive travelers’ documentation after which they are authenticated using CAT. The device reveals the flight status of the passenger by evaluating the IDs. Besides, it gives validation of travelers’ flight by allowing passengers with satisfactory documents to proceed to the screening stage.

Enhanced Metal Detectors (EMD)

EMDs are used to detect metallic items on travelers that are prohibited at permanent checkpoints within an airport (Advanced Integrated Passenger and Baggage Screening Technologies, 2018). The passengers are required to walk through the devices at the predetermined checkpoints.

Explosives Trace Detectors (ETDs)

ETDs are extremely sophisticated machines that assist in the classification of commercial and military flammables (Advanced Integrated Passenger and Baggage Screening Technologies, 2018). The machines identify the explosives’ chemical composition and their associated characteristics. Notably, ETD devices are effective since they conduct speedy and accurate screening of the explosives.

In brief, the devices and procedures are prevalent in the aviation industry as they augment the security and safety of the aviation fraternity. Previous terrorism in the sector has had adverse impacts on the factions involved. Since superior technologies have emerged, security is assured in air transportation systems. Also, the majority of devices used in the screening process are evasive. This speeds up the process, unlike the manual screening. Besides, manual methods hardly scratch the surface as they cannot reveal complex concealments such as internally hidden substances. Markedly, the devices and procedures have no significant concerns on the passengers. If travelers practice compliance with the TSA requirements, no challenges are encountered in the process. because the reason is that the devices and procedures are elaborate and genuine. If passengers’ documentation and screening results are legitimate, the system is responsive and safety is promoted. Therefore, technological screening devices perform a fundamental role in enhancing security in the aviation sector.

Impact of Screening Devices and Procedures on Human Aspects

The aforementioned screening technologies have associated demerits on human aspects. The devices use evasive means of uncovering the threat items concealed on passengers’ bodies. The items encompass devices such as AIT, AT X-rays, and EMD, which monitor travelers’ bodies. The technologies utilize radiations and electromagnetic waves in the passenger screening systems. Exposure to the radiation has negative health effects on the travelers as they affect reproductive systems and the heart (Radiation Health Effects, n.d.). Besides, they can cause cancers and teratogenesis on passengers. This condition violates important human aspects due to predisposition to the risks of organic malformation and carcinogenic elements.

Assessment of Screening Devices and Procedures

The use of screening technology in aviation has a significant contribution to ensuring the security and safety of the passengers and the entire aviation fraternity. Sophisticated concealments can easily be discovered through the use of evasive devices. Terrorist activities that were initially prevalent in the aviation industry can be managed. However, the exposure of passengers to radiations and electromagnetic waves evokes health concerns. TSA should incorporate an arrangement to prevent the adverse effects of the waves on passengers’ health. Eventually, the aviation screening system will be effective in ensuring security in the air transportation sector and reduce exposure to the negative health repercussions of travelers.

Conclusion

Enforcing security and safety in aviation is key as the sector has many values at stake, including people’s lives and foreign relations. The regulatory schemes at both the safety and security of aviation should be reviewed and properly established. With regard to screening devices and procedures, they should be incorporated at the checkpoints to monitor objects that threaten security. However, human aspects should be a concern because the use of devices that emit radioactive waves jeopardizes passengers’ health. In brief, TSA should prioritize aviation safety and security of passengers.