Seattle, WA: A recent safety review study mandated by Congress has revealed concerning flaws in Boeing Commercial Airplanes’ safety culture, as outlined in the 50-page report from a committee appointed by the Federal Aviation Administration. Despite ongoing efforts by Boeing to enhance safety measures, the study points to significant issues that have persisted within the company.

The study highlights a disconnect between Boeing’s senior management and other organizational members regarding safety culture. Concerns were raised about the effectiveness of Boeing’s safety reporting systems in facilitating open communication and preventing retaliation. Additionally, the study identified shortcomings in the implementation of key components of a positive safety culture, including Reporting Culture, Just Culture, Flexible Culture, Learning Culture, and Informed Culture.

One area of concern highlighted in the study was Boeing’s Safety Management System (SMS) procedures, which align with international and FAA frameworks. However, the complexity and constant changes in procedures and training have led to confusion among employees across different work sites and groups. The lack of awareness of safety-related metrics at all levels of the organization further underscores the challenges Boeing faces in promoting a strong safety culture.

Furthermore, the study noted issues with Boeing’s restructuring of the management of the Organization Designation Authorization (ODA) unit, which may still leave room for potential interference and retaliation against Unit Members (UMs). While improvements have been made to enhance independence and messaging for UMs, concerns remain about the impact of factors such as salary and furlough ranking on their ability to carry out delegated functions effectively.

The report also raised broader concerns about Boeing’s approach to aviation safety, including inadequate consideration of human factors and a lack of pilot input in aircraft design. These findings underscore the need for Boeing to address fundamental issues in its safety practices to ensure the well-being of all stakeholders involved in aviation.

In response to the study, a Boeing official acknowledged the need for continuous improvement in fostering a safety culture that empowers employees to speak up. The company expressed its commitment to reviewing the study’s findings and incorporating them into ongoing efforts to enhance safety and quality programs. Additionally, the engineers and technicians union SPEEA, a member of the Expert Panel, highlighted the importance of addressing the disconnect between messaging from headquarters and direct supervisors to prioritize quality and safety at all levels of the organization.

As Boeing grapples with the findings of the safety review study, stakeholders are hopeful that the report will serve as a catalyst for positive change within the company. Efforts to establish programs like the Aviation Safety Action Program, aimed at enabling employees to report errors without fear of retaliation, signal a commitment to realigning Boeing’s values with a renewed focus on safety and quality in aviation.