What is confidential reporting?
Confidential report allows for the raising of awareness regard a perceived exposure (risk) to a particular hazard. Confidential reporting does not in fact replace any existing schemes rather it creates another “string to our bow” in that it provides a mechanism for reporting where the reporter is feeling in some way exposed.
So is it a good thing or a bad thing to have Confidential Reporting?
In some ways it is showing a weakness in our system simply because the reporter feels uncomfortable to report, when within the context of an open and just culture possible this should not be the case. However it does afford the opportunity to capture some information or exposure which may not otherwise be found.
It does not always work in the way it was intended and it does not always capture genuine exposures, it is not unheard of for the confidential reporting system to be used in a way it was not intended to for example as a result of a personal grievance or issue !
We should try to view the confidential reporting systems in the context that they work in conjunction with our other systems for example safety audit and investigation as well as voluntary and mandatory reporting, to enable a complete picture of the health of a safety system.
Consider also that a measure of the effectiveness of our SMS is “potentially” a lower level of confidential reports. (Easier to demonstrate within a mature reporting system)
A ‘just culture’ reporting system may be acknowledged once we have a clear distinction between acceptable and unacceptable behaviour in the workplace and where the resultant treatment of people is appropriate in the context of the causal event. Sometimes the additional level of protection afforded by confidential reporting is one of the reasons why people are prepared to report and this becomes the reason for its existence
Examples of incidents occurrences which may be reported under voluntary reporting schemes include for example:
– Any incident or circumstance that affects or might affect the safety of aircraft operations which might otherwise go unreported for some reason.
– A procedure, practice or condition that may be considered to impact or endanger, the safety of air operations or navigation.
– Poor training, behaviour or attitude displayed which is inconsistent with reasonable expectations in dealing with an operator, airport or ATC
– Issues with Qualifications or experience required to safely operate
– Issues relating to fatigue and the management of fatigue
– Not following ignoring or the absence of Safety Procedures – in particular when related to commercial pressure
– Facilities inadequate for safe operation
– Any other issues which may impact the safety or aircraft operations but not otherwise reported under a mandatory reporting scheme.
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