What is SMS?

An airport Safety Management System (SMS) is a proactive and organized way to manage safety risks in the air operations area (AOA). It helps identify potential hazards, assess and reduce risks, and continuously improve overall safety.

It helps us:

• Spot and report safety hazards
• Understand and reduce risk
• Document safety decisions
• Keep improving how we work safely

Why are we implementing the SMS?

At PDX safety guides everything we do. To strengthen this commitment, we are implementing the SMS—a proactive approach to identifying and managing risks in the air operations area. While SMS is required under FAA regulations (14 CFR Part 139, Subpart E), our goal is to go beyond compliance and build a strong, collaborative safety culture that protects everyone who works at or travels through PDX.

The four components of SMS

Safety Policy: Sets expectations and roles

Safety Risk Management: Finds hazards and evaluates risk

Safety Assurance: Makes sure fixes are working

Safety Promotion: Shares safety information and training

How does SMS work?

1. A hazard, concern, or planned change is identified
2. A team reviews the risk
3. If needed, we take action to reduce the risk
4. We share information, provide training, and encourage involvement in the SMS
5. We review the results to make sure the fix works…If it doesn’t, we adjust and try again

Who is this for?

SMS applies to the Air Operations Area (AOA) and to anything that could impact safety in the airside environment.

This includes:

• Runways, safety areas, and taxiways
• Aprons/ramps
• Bag tunnels
• Vehicle Service Road (VSR)
• All areas inside the airfield fence

SMS does not currently apply to:

• Terminal or public areas
• Landside (roadways, garages, rental car center, etc.)
• Port of Portland headquarters
• Hillsboro or Troutdale airports
• Marine terminals

What’s my part?

SMS works best when everyone participates. If you work in or support the AOA you’re an important part of the SMS!

You can help by:

• Reporting hazards, operational concerns, or upcoming changes
• Supporting safety reviews, assessments, and investigations
• Implementing assigned fixes
• Participating in and promoting the SMS

Learn more

Find SMS resources at flypdx.com/sms

• Hazard reporting system
• SMS training
• Airside safety committees
• SMS manual and org structure
• Safety programs and incentives
• …and more!

Contact Us: SMS@flypdx.com