A message from David Anderson

Bow-tie is a well-established risk management framework to identify appropriate controls and defenses for a particular risk. You will see examples in the nuclear industry, maritime, and the oil & gas sector. Back in 2009, a number of resource companies came together to align their safety protocols. At least three of these companies had each suffered a recent fatal aviation accident with many fatalities. They realized there must be a better way to manage their aviation risk. Key to this was a common industry-wide understanding of aviation threats and the need to manage these threats. Therefore, putting aviation risk into bow-tie was a clear and simple choice.

The bow-tie model was already well entrenched in the resource sector for managing other material risks the industry faces, such as mine collapse, arc blast, and heavy vehicle accidents. All Standards are developed and presented in the Bow-Tie model, a diagram that visualizes the risks you are dealing with in just one picture. The diagram, shaped like a bow-tie, creates clear differentiation between proactive and reactive risk management, including a set of controls and defenses for the identified risks. It is the common agreement on the threats, the appropriate controls, and the easy to understand bow-tie format that have become the key strengths of the BARS Program.

Aviation operations in the contracted sector are more deeply integrated within the contracting company when compared to operations involving the scheduled airline community. Examples of this are where the mining company owns and operates the airport/helipad, the offshore helicopter passengers, and the need for HUET training, or with the exploration company frequently moving drilling equipment with helicopters. Integration of aviation into company operations is key to framing the BAR Standard in the bow-tie model for the clear understanding of all parties - for procurement/contracts personnel, logistics and support staff, the risk owner in the contracting department, and certainly the operators and auditors.

The auditor accreditation course, Managing Contract Aviation Risk (MCAR) training, and Helicopter External Load Operations (HELO) training are all very well placed to provide further insight into the workings of the bow-tie model and educate people on aviation risk in the contract aviation environment.

David Anderson
Managing Director
BARS Program