Manufacturing & ProductionISCO 1349

Airside safety manager

An airside safety manager is a person who oversees the safety of operations in the airside area of an airport.

Check yourself in a minute: airside safety manager

Rate 5 of the 14 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

comply with specifications of aerodrome manual

undertake inspections

apply airport standards and regulations

address potential aerodrome hazards

approve the design of aircraft parking areas

About airside safety manager

The airside area covers the apron, the taxiways and the runways. The manager supervises the working of that area: vehicle and personnel movement, aircraft taxiing, ground handling, construction work on a live airfield, and the condition of the surfaces. Inspections are carried out, compliance with airport procedures is ensured, and hazards are countered before they turn into events: foreign objects on a runway, animals and birds, vehicles where they should not be.

Airside safety management also includes preparing safety analysis reports, informing the civil aviation authority of changes to airport information, and ensuring conformity with standards and regulations — the common aviation safety rules and the airport's own. Designs for aircraft parking stands are approved too, with the clearances between stands checked among other things.

The manager also improves airside safety procedures: drawing conclusions from occurrences and reports, changing the way work is done where the same error recurs, and cooperating with every service on the field.

Key Work Functions

Core areas of responsibility for a airside safety manager.

1

Safety Inspections and Hazard Identification

  • Conduct regular airside safety inspections to identify hazards and non-compliance issues
  • Document findings and create detailed inspection reports with photographic evidence
  • Assess potential aerodrome hazards including wildlife, debris, and structural issues
2

Compliance and Regulatory Management

  • Ensure all airside operations comply with aerodrome manual specifications and EASA regulations
  • Maintain records of annual safety inspections and audit compliance
  • Advise civil aviation authorities on system changes and safety improvements
3

Safety Analysis and Reporting

  • Analyze incidents and near-misses to identify root causes and systemic issues
  • Write comprehensive safety analysis reports with recommendations for corrective actions
  • Develop and implement improved airside safety procedures and audit systems
4

Infrastructure and Design Approval

  • Review and approve designs of aircraft parking areas and ground support facilities
  • Assess safety implications of airside infrastructure modifications
  • Ensure all designs adhere to aerodrome procedures and international standards
5

Team Coordination and Training

  • Work with aviation teams including ground handlers, air traffic control, and airport operations
  • Conduct regular aviation safety research and stay current with industry best practices
  • Supervise airside performance metrics and safety culture development

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (14)

comply with specifications of aerodrome manualcomply with specifications of aerodrome manualFollow standards and specific prescriptions from the aerodrome manual, which contains characteristics, policies and procedures for the safe operation of the airport.undertake inspectionsundertake inspectionsUndertake safety inspections in areas of concern to identify and report potential hazards or security breaches; take measures to maximise safety standards.work in an aviation teamwork in an aviation teamWork confidently in a group in general aviation services, in which each individual operates in their own area of responsibility to reach a common goal, such as a good customer interaction, air safety,...conduct airport safety inspectionsconduct airport safety inspectionsConduct airport inspections to achieve maximum safety; inspect airport facilities, ensure equipment is used and maintained appropriately, and ensure staff members work in the safest possible way.identify airport safety hazardsidentify airport safety hazardsSpot threats related to security at the airport and apply procedures to counteract them in a quick, safe, and efficient way.ensure annual safety inspectionsensure annual safety inspectionsEnsure that an annual safety inspection takes place; submit inspection report to CAA.implement the airside safety auditing systemimplement the airside safety auditing systemImplement airside safety auditing system for operational departments.apply airport standards and regulationsapply airport standards and regulationsKnow and apply the accepted standards and regulations for European airports. Apply knowledge to enforce airport rules, regulations, and the Airport Safety Plan.address potential aerodrome hazardsaddress potential aerodrome hazardsAddress potential aerodrome hazards such as foreign objects, debris, and wildlife interference.approve the design of aircraft parking areasapprove the design of aircraft parking areasApprove the design of aircraft parking areas.ensure adherence to aerodrome proceduresensure adherence to aerodrome proceduresEnsure that aerodrome procedures are conducted in accordance with all requirements.supervise airside performancesupervise airside performanceMeasure and supervise airside performance in accordance with safety and compliance KPI's.conduct regular aviation researchconduct regular aviation researchConduct research on a regular basis in order to stay up-to-date with aviation safety standards and procedures. Investigate new technologies and materials that may improve the efficiency of service del...common aviation safety regulationscommon aviation safety regulationsThe body of legislation and regulations that apply to the field of civil aviation at regional, national, European and International levels.
Optional (1) — show
negotiate health and safety issues with third partiesnegotiate health and safety issues with third partiesConsult, negotiate and agree on potential risks, measures and safety procedures with third parties.

Related Occupations

Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.

Frequently asked questions

What does an airside safety manager do?

Airside safety managers supervise the airside operations' safety and security and advise the civil aviation authorities on the airport information systems changes. They write safety analysis reports, ensure compliance with standards and regulations and improve the airside safety procedures.

What skills does an airside safety manager need?

An airside safety manager needs 14 essential skills, including comply with specifications of aerodrome manual, undertake inspections, work in an aviation team, conduct airport safety inspections, identify airport safety hazards.

Will AI replace airside safety manager jobs?

The AI disruption score for airside safety manager is 47/100 (moderate risk). Skills most exposed to automation: ensure annual safety inspections, comply with specifications of aerodrome manual, apply airport standards and regulations. Most resilient: negotiate health and safety issues with third parties, work in an aviation team, conduct airport safety inspections.

Quick Facts

ISCO GroupProduction and specialised services managers
Essential Skills14

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