Eighteen-Month Pilot Program Intended To Protect  Aircraft Certification Service Employee Whistleblowers From Retaliation

The FAA, in partnership with the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA), has initiated 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.” 

FMI: www.faa.gov, www.natca.org