|
WASHINGTON � The U.S. Department of
Transportation�s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), in partnership with the
National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA), today began a safety
reporting program called the Safety Review Process (SRP). The 18-month pilot program, which is open to
all bargaining-unit employees, allows FAA employees who work in the Aircraft
Certification Service (AIR) to elevate safety concerns without fear of
retaliation. �It is
critical that our DOT employees have the opportunity to work in an environment
where they are comfortable coming forward with safety concerns,� said U.S.
Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. �This new safety review process
will further advance our culture of safety and help ensure that the flying
public has the best, safest experience possible.� Modeled after a similar process
implemented by the FAA�s Office of Airports last year, the SRP fosters a
voluntary, cooperative, non-punitive environment for open reporting by the more
than 700 AIR employees represented by NATCA, and provides a tool to quickly
elevate safety-related concerns. The FAA
expects that most safety concerns will continue to be resolved at the local
level. However, the SRP will provide
another way for employees to identify potential safety issues. An evaluation of the SRP will occur after the
18-month pilot program concludes, to determine if it will become permanent. �The FAA has a highly motivated
workforce dedicated to our safety mission,� said FAA Administrator Michael P.
Huerta. �This program extends voluntary
reporting opportunities to even more of our employees.� �We are pleased to have this
additional voluntary safety reporting system in place for the Aircraft
Certification Service,� said NATCA Regional Vice president Mike MacDonald. �Voluntary reporting systems are a proven
vehicle to improve the safety culture, and the AIR Safety Reporting Program
will further reduce the safety concerns of both the FAA and NATCA.� About the SRP:
The SRP process begins when an
employee files a confidential report to raise a safety issue or event through
an online reporting system. An SRP
Safety Oversight Board composed of two FAA managers and two NATCA
representatives will then review and analyze the report. If the issue satisfies the safety criteria identified
in the Memorandum of Understanding, the Board will identify and assign a
Subject Matter Expert (SME) Panel to investigate and respond to the request
with its recommendations. Once accepted,
the Board will send recommendations to the appropriate manager and monitor the
agreed-upon solution. The Board will
also send a final report to the employee who raised the safety concern. After removing identifying information, a
resolution report will be posted for all AIR employees to view.
|
