Vector Aerospace UK selects Atkins' SMS
"We are looking to optimise and widen our current practices to ensure that we have a single, flexible and appropriate approach to Safety Management across all areas and locations of our business", said Chris Hosking, Quality Director at Vector Aerospace. "We see SMS as something more fundamental to the way we operate than mere compliance; it is integral to how we work and correlates with the company's core values in terms of the responsible behaviours and culture which we have historically cultivated".
The SMS will build upon the company's successful pre-existing strategies, such as its 'Quality & Safety 1st'campaign, which have helped to place health & safety, airworthiness and flight safety at the centre of all that it does.
"The 'Quality & Safety 1st' improvement campaign was introduced last year and has already delivered tangible results. During the year 2012-13 the number of hours lost due to accidents fell by 15% and our recent recognition by the International Safety Awards - where our Fleetlands facility secured a Merit for health & safety management excellence - proves that we are building upon strong foundations", said Chris Hosking.
Atkins Global was selected on account of its unique perspective of best practice regarding SMS. Drawing on experience from the Oil & Gas, Rail and Nuclear industries as well as from within Military and Civil Aviation sectors, the company offered a distinctive proposition; one acclimatised to the high standards of Vector Aerospace UK.
"We are very pleased to be working with Vector Aerospace to help them optimise their safety management", said Kevin Keen Senior Safety Consultant at Atkins Global. "Vector Aerospace has an enviable reputation in the aerospace deep repair, maintenance and overhaul domain and it remains an important part of the UK's aerospace and industrial landscape. It is great to see them taking the initiative by further enhancing their status as a respected operator against an agreed framework of systems, policies and procedures."
