Improving organisational safety through the integrated evaluation of operational and training performance: an adaptation of the Line Operations Safety Audit (LOSA) methodology

The development of effective feedback mechanisms between operations and training is an essential predicate to enhancing safety and improving efficiency in any organisation. With the constant demands to streamline training, the design of training programs that adequately reflect operational needs is paramount. This paper describes the use of new observational methodologies in the integrated evaluation of an airlines' operational and training systems performance. This approach not only complements the traditional check and training systems, but provides a new mechanism by which airlines can pro-actively unmask deficiencies and possible latent failures in both their training and line operations. Building upon the Line Operations Safety Audit (LOSA) methodology, an integrated evaluation of operations and training was undertaken on two fleets of an airline operating both short-haul domestic and medium-haul international routes. The findings of this research lend strong support for the adoption of organisational approaches to performance evaluation as a necessary part of an airline's commitment to safety and efficiency in its operations.