Boeing Safety Culture Under Scrutiny After Panel Findings

• FAA report highlights safety culture issues at Boeing.

• Employees fear retaliation for raising safety concerns.

• Constant changes in safety training cause confusion among workers.

logo of BOEING

Reuters

A recent report to the Federal Aviation Administration highlighted concerns about the safety culture at Boeing, indicating a disconnect between senior management and workers. The panel of outside experts noted that employees responsible for checking the company's planes are hesitant to raise issues due to fears of retaliation.

The experts also pointed out that safety training and procedures at Boeing are in a state of constant change, leading to confusion among employees. This report comes in the wake of legislative reforms following two deadly crashes involving Boeing 737 Max jetliners in 2020.

The scrutiny on Boeing's safety practices intensified after a recent incident involving an Alaska Airlines Max jet, where an emergency door panel blew out due to missing bolts following repairs at Boeing's factory in Renton, Washington.

Boeing responded by stating that they have taken steps to promote a safety culture that encourages employees to speak up, but acknowledged that more work needs to be done.

The panel of experts commended Boeing for making changes to reduce the risk of retaliation against employees reporting safety issues. However, they highlighted that there are still opportunities for retaliation to occur within the company.

The experts made 50 recommendations to Boeing, urging the company to address their concerns within six months and provide a plan to the FAA. Additionally, they made three recommendations to the FAA to ensure safety standards are upheld.

In response, the FAA emphasized their commitment to holding Boeing to the highest safety standards and ensuring that the company implements the recommendations put forth by the panel of experts.