About RailEI
Ethics & Behaviours
Safety, Confidential Reporting, and CIRAS
Man-made disasters[i] in the last decade, including the Grenfell Tower fire in London and the crashes of two 737 Max aircraft, have highlighted the dangers that arise when those working in the engineering sector don’t act in accordance with good practice and their professional duty. Railways, like many businesses, are subject to commercial and other business priorities which can occasionally lead to individuals feeling pressured to do what is convenient or cheap rather than what is right, or perhaps to “turn a blind eye” to shortcuts or potentially dangerous decisions taken by others.
Reputable companies actively encourage the use of robust Worksafe arrangements, allowing employees and others working with them to formally flag up and resolve such situations.
But what to do when you honestly feel that speaking out may lead to aggression, damage your livelihood, or limit your career prospects? In short, where there are strong informal incentives not to use formal company reporting procedures?
The railway industry has long recognised the danger inherent is such situations and in 1996 established the independent CIRAS, the Confidential Incident Reporting and Analysis Service.
CIRAS raises safety concerns at the most senior levels within relevant companies, whilst maintaining reporters’ confidentiality. Maintenance of confidentiality is the service’s primary guiding principle.
[i] Man-made disasters are those which involve an element of human intent, negligence, or error involving a failure of a man-made system, as opposed to those natural disasters which result solely from natural hazards.
So, if you have a health, safety, or wellbeing concern about your workplace or another site you have visited or have knowledge of, you can contact CIRAS confidentially by:
• www.ciras.org.uk/Raise-a-concern
• UK: 0800 4 101 101 or ROI: 1800 239 239
• Freepost CIRAS.
If you are aware of any unsafe or potentially unsafe situation, remember that speaking out through Worksafe or CIRAS is consistent with RailEI’s code of conduct and with individual’s responsibilities under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
For more details of the CIRAS service go to: www.ciras.org.uk/About-us
For more details of Worksafe arrangements, search for “Worksafe” on your company’s intranet.
[1] Man-made disasters are those which involve an element of human intent, negligence, or error involving a failure of a man-made system, as opposed to those natural disasters which result solely from natural hazards.
“CIRAS members are forward-thinking companies across the UK and ROI transport sector, committed to improving health, safety and wellbeing."
www.ciras.org.uk
RailEI Statement of Ethical Principles to Guide Engineering Practice and Behaviour
This statement has been produced jointly by the UK Professional Engineering Institutions, and is endorsed by them all. It underpins the RailEI’s Code of Conduct.
All persons engaged in engineering at any level, from the youngest apprentice and student, should think and work in accordance with these ethical principles.
1. Honesty and integrity
Engineering professionals have a duty to uphold the highest standards of professional conduct including openness, fairness, honesty, and integrity. They should:
- act in a reliable and trustworthy manner
- be alert to the ways in which their work and behaviour might affect others and respect the privacy, rights and reputations of other parties and individuals
- respect confidentiality
- declare conflicts of interest
- avoid deception and take steps to prevent or report corrupt practices or professional misconduct
- reject bribery and improper influence
2. Respect for life, law, the environment and public good
Engineering professionals have a duty to obey all applicable laws and regulations and give due weight to facts, published standards and guidance and the wider public interest. They should:
- hold paramount the health and safety of others and draw attention to hazards
- ensure their work is lawful and justified
- recognise the importance of physical and cyber security and data protection
- respect and protect personal information and intellectual property
- protect, and where possible improve, the quality of built and natural environments
- maximise the public good and minimise both actual and potential adverse effects for their own and succeeding generations
- take due account of the limited availability of natural resources
- uphold the reputation and standing of the profession
3. Accuracy and rigour
Engineering professionals have a duty to acquire and use wisely the understanding, knowledge and skills needed to perform their role. They should:
- always act with care
- perform services only in areas in which they are currently competent or under competent supervision
- keep their knowledge and skills up to date
- assist the development of engineering knowledge and skills in others
- present and review theory, evidence, and interpretation honestly, accurately, objectively and without bias, while respecting reasoned alternative views
- identify, evaluate, quantify, mitigate and manage risks
- not knowingly mislead or allow others to be misled
4. Leadership and communication
Engineering professionals have a duty to abide by and promote high standards of leadership and communication. They should:
- be aware of the issues that engineering and technology raise for society, and listen to the aspirations and concerns of others
- promote equality, diversity, and inclusion
- promote public awareness and understanding of the impact and benefits of engineering achievements
- be objective and truthful in any statement made in their professional capacity
- challenge statements or policies that cause them professional concern
