Hazard vs. Risk: Why the Difference Matters

Even small operational changes can introduce unexpected safety risks. In this episode of Safety Chats, Ryan Smith and Anne Marie Sollazzo break down Management of Change (MOC), common mistakes, and practical steps to identify risks before changes take place. Learn how involving frontline teams, communicating effectively, and following up can help strengthen your safety management system (SMS).Contact Safety Chats Tweet us at @BaldwinAviationConnect on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/baldwin-aviation-safety-&-compliance/ Follow on Facebook @BaldwinSafety Email us at [email protected] more about Safety Management System’s at www.BaldwinSMS.com Thanks for listening and stay safe! 

When a safety investigation ends with “human error” or “failure to follow procedure,” are we really addressing the root cause? In this episode of Portside Safety by Baldwin, Ryan, Anne Marie, and Todd discuss why effective investigations must go beyond blame to uncover the decisions, pressures, and processes behind safety incidents—and how asking better questions can lead to safer operations.Contact Safety Chats Tweet us at @BaldwinAviationConnect on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/baldwin-aviation-safety-&-compliance/ Follow on Facebook @BaldwinSafety Email us at [email protected] more about Safety Management System’s at www.BaldwinSMS.com Thanks for listening and stay safe! 

Better safety starts with better communication. In this Safety Chat, the Portside Safety by Baldwin team explores how flight operations and maintenance can work more effectively together, from clearer write-ups and standardized communication to building stronger relationships across teams.They also discuss how communication gaps can contribute to normalization of deviance and why a strong SMS and safety culture help teams identify issues before they become bigger problems.Contact Safety Chats Tweet us at @BaldwinAviationConnect on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/baldwin-aviation-safety-&-compliance/ Follow on Facebook @BaldwinSafety Email us at [email protected] more about Safety Management System’s at www.BaldwinSMS.com Thanks for listening and stay safe! 

 Hazards and risks are often treated as the same thing, but understanding the difference is essential for effective safety management. Todd Thomas and Ryan Smith explain how identifying potential harm, evaluating likelihood and severity, and applying the right controls can lead to stronger decisions, clearer reporting, and a more proactive safety culture. Contact Safety Chats Tweet us at @BaldwinAviationConnect on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/baldwin-aviation-safety-&-compliance/ Follow on Facebook @BaldwinSafety Email us at [email protected] more about Safety Management System’s at www.BaldwinSMS.com Thanks for listening and stay safe! 

In this episode of Portside Safety by Baldwin Safety Chat, Anne-Marie Sollazzo, Todd Thomas, and Ryan Smith discuss the normalization of deviation and how everyday shortcuts can quietly become accepted practice across an operation.The conversation explores why deviations often start with good intentions, how operational pressure and tribal knowledge can move teams away from written procedures, and why a successful outcome does not always mean a safe process. The team also shares practical ways to identify drift, encourage fresh-eyes reviews, support open reporting, and close the feedback loop through a strong SMS.Contact Safety Chats Tweet us at @BaldwinAviationConnect on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/baldwin-aviation-safety-&-compliance/ Follow on Facebook @BaldwinSafety Email us at [email protected] more about Safety Management System’s at www.BaldwinSMS.com Thanks for listening and stay safe! 

In this episode of Portside Safety Chats, the team recaps major themes from BASS 2026, including gaps in TCAS RA reporting, the importance of proactive safety data, and why accountable executives should attend safety conferences alongside their safety teams. Learn how leadership visibility, training, and engagement can directly influence SMS effectiveness and organizational safety culture.Contact Safety Chats Tweet us at @BaldwinAviationConnect on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/baldwin-aviation-safety-&-compliance/ Follow on Facebook @BaldwinSafety Email us at [email protected] more about Safety Management System’s at www.BaldwinSMS.com Thanks for listening and stay safe! 

In this episode of the Portside Safety by Baldwin podcast, we explore why ASAP reporting is one of the most powerful and underused tools in aviation safety. The team discusses what low reporting really means, the barriers that prevent employees from speaking up, and how operators can build trust, simplify reporting, and turn insights into action. More reports don’t mean more problems; they mean better visibility into your operation.Contact Safety Chats Tweet us at @BaldwinAviationConnect on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/baldwin-aviation-safety-&-compliance/ Follow on Facebook @BaldwinSafety Email us at [email protected] more about Safety Management System’s at www.BaldwinSMS.com Thanks for listening and stay safe! 

Meet Ryan Smith, Portside’s newest safety manager, as he shares his journey from the U.S. Air Force to civilian aviation. In this episode, the team explores why SMS is a team sport, how to build a strong safety culture, and practical ways to encourage reporting and trust across your organization.Contact Safety Chats Tweet us at @BaldwinAviationConnect on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/baldwin-aviation-safety-&-compliance/ Follow on Facebook @BaldwinSafety Email us at [email protected] more about Safety Management System’s at www.BaldwinSMS.com Thanks for listening and stay safe! 

Anne Marie Sollazzo sits down with Jermaine “Caddy” Cadogan, President of Convergent Performance and former U.S. Marine Corps aviation maintainer, to discuss Safety Management Systems (SMS) in the maintenance world. They explore why maintenance teams often experience cultural resistance to formal SMS tools, how risk is managed differently in the hangar versus the flight deck, and what leaders can do to create real buy-in. The conversation highlights practical integration, ownership, and the importance of designing SMS with maintainers, not just for them.Contact Safety Chats Tweet us at @BaldwinAviationConnect on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/baldwin-aviation-safety-&-compliance/ Follow on Facebook @BaldwinSafety Email us at [email protected] more about Safety Management System’s at www.BaldwinSMS.com Thanks for listening and stay safe! 

An Emergency Response Plan is more than a document - it’s a living system.In this episode of Safety Chats, Senior Safety Managers Anne Marie Sollazzo and Todd Thomas discuss what real emergency readiness looks like beyond the ERP binder. Drawing from real-world experience, they explore common gaps in emergency planning, the value of drills and lessons learned, and why preparation can’t wait until after everything else is built.Contact Safety Chats Tweet us at @BaldwinAviationConnect on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/baldwin-aviation-safety-&-compliance/ Follow on Facebook @BaldwinSafety Email us at [email protected] more about Safety Management System’s at www.BaldwinSMS.com Thanks for listening and stay safe!