FAA Implements Safety Reporting Program for Office of Airports Employees
The program is called the Airport Voluntary Reporting System. It allows the workers to raise safety concerns without fear of retaliation.
The Federal Aviation Administration is
partnering with the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) to set up a safety reporting program called the Airport Voluntary Reporting System (AVRS). The program allows FAA employees who work in the Office of Airports to elevate safety concerns without fear of retaliation.
The AVRS process begins when an employee files a confidential report to raise a safety issue through an online reporting system. An AVRS Oversight Board composed of three FAA executives will then review, investigate, and help resolve the reported items. The board will send recommendations to the appropriate manager and monitor the agreed-upon solution. The board also will send a final report to the employee who raised the safety concern, after removing identifying information and posting a resolution report for all airport employees to view. The board members must sign a confidentiality agreement.
"Safety is our highest priority, and it is critical that the Department of Transportation and our partners promote a culture of safety," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. "A culture of safety means that employees can report safety concerns freely, without retaliation, so that the millions of airline passengers may have the best, safest experience possible."