Fortunately aircraft incidents and accidents are rare, therefore when an accident occurs, it reminds us that some risks are beyond our control. On the other hand, when a plane lands safely without seriously injuring any passengers, it hammers home a second lesson — training can pay off.

The pilot who put his disabled jet down in the Hudson River has repeatedly credited the safety procedures drilled into the crew as providing them the with the tools to cope with what easily could have been a tragedy. The display of their capabilities is a testament to the importance of managing and promoting safety training as a vital interest to any business.

Costly accidents serve as an unfortunate reminder that safety must always remain the first priority. Often, insurance claim professionals observe incidences of aviation losses that may indicate that safety training is being overlooked or underemphasized:

• An airplane damaged when a refueling truck hits the wing.
• A cracked turbine blade when the engine intake ingests foreign debris from the runway.
• A person with loss of hearing from exposure to noise without proper ear protection.
• A person using a cell phone on the ramp injured from inattention to his surroundings.

As they investigate losses, claim professionals are in a pivotal position to question their customers about their safety training programs. They can give customers insight about the benefits of consistent training and attention to safety, including reducing the number and cost of incidents and accidents, which provides a strong defense if the customer is held responsible for damages or injuries or even sued for negligence. Building an attractive record of fewer incidents and losses may be reflected in a company's future premiums.