Cincinnati-based aviation services company ARG/US has released an on-site safety audit report focusing on commonly seen deficiencies in safety management systems (SMS) and emergency-response planning. The report is based on 116 audits of Part 91 and Part 135 operators conducted by ARG/US between Jan. 1, 2007, and Feb. 28, 2009.

According to ARG/US, 65 percent of the audit findings point to a deficient internal-evaluation program, a critical part of an SMS since it is designed to uncover problems before they become causal factors in an accident or incident. SMS manuals and training were also inadequate at about half of the audited operations. As for emergency-response planning deficiencies, blood-borne pathogens and personal protection equipment training and drills topped the list.