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Code of Ethics: International Society of Air Safety Investigators
THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY
OF AIR SAFETY INVESTIGATORS
ISASI
CODE OF ETHICS AND CONDUCT
October 1983
Appendix A
ISASI CODE OF ETHICS AND CONDUCT
PREAMBLE
As noted in the ISASI Bylaws, the purpose of the Society is “To
promote the
development and improvement of aviation or incident accident investigation”.1
Implicit therein
is a requirement for a baseline of agreement between the Members and
the Society as to what
constitutes professional behavior of the Members. Indeed, under the Bylaws,
the Member
covenants to support provisions of the Bylaws as a prerequisite to membership
in the Society.
Therefore, as an Appendix to the Bylaws, this Code of Ethics and Conduct
reflects
behavior expected of ISASI Members. It has been prepared and adopted
with the full realization
that determination of the adherence or lack of adherence to these principles
is a matter of
judgment; judgment which can only be effected reasonably by peer review.
Procedures
governing adjudication of alleged violations of this Code are the responsibility
of the Ethics and
Conduct Committee as approved by the Executive Committee of the Society.
The Code has distinguished five Ethics and numerous related items of
Conduct contained
thereunder. Ethics are the axiomatic and aspirational major principles
shown both on a separate
page and as general headings in the Code of Conduct. They are broad goals
towards which
accident investigators “should” strive.
The Code of Conduct is phrased in “shall” terms of expected
Member behavior. The
items constitute minimum levels of conduct which, if violated, constitute
potential grounds for
disciplinary action by the Society. Such disciplinary action can include
expulsion from the
Society.
It is recognized that provisions of this code will not apply to all Members
during the
totality of their work activities. However, insofar as investigations
are conducted for safety
purposes, and this Code does not conflict with other codes of professional
behavior, Members
are expected to adhere to the ISASI Code.
1”Accident or incident investigation” has been interpreted
by the ISASI International
Council as pertaining to all safety-related occurrences which may or
may not meet
damage/injury criteria required for formal designation as an accident.
Wherever “accident is
used in this Code, it shall be considered as also including safety-relevant
incidents meriting
professional investigation.
It is also recognized that operative words or phrases describing expected
Member
conduct are appropriate only if feasibility is assumed under the existent
circumstances. Such an
interpretation should be applied throughout this Code.
This Code has been adopted by the International Council. Recognizing
the desirability of
membership input to this Code, the Ethics and Conduct Committee shall
report to the
International Council annually the receipt of any suggestions for modifications
of the Code and
their recommendations therefor. Thus, the membership is encouraged to
communicate with the
Ethics and Conduct Committee in these matters.
ISASI CODE OF ETHICS
1. INTEGRITY
Each Member should at all times conduct his activities in accordance
with the high
standards of integrity required of his profession.
2. PRINCIPLES
Each Member should respect and adhere to the principles on which ISASI
was founded
and developed, as illustrated by the Society’s Bylaws.
3. OBJECTIVITY
Each Member should lend emphasis to objective determination of facts
during investigations.
4. LOGIC
Each Member should develop all accident cause-effect relationships meaningful
to air
safety based upon logical application of facts.
5. ACCIDENT PREVENTION
Each member should apply facts and analyses to develop findings and recommendations
that will improve aviation safety.
ISASI CODE OF CONDUCT
1. INTEGRITY Each Member should at all times conduct his activities in
accordance with the high standards of integrity required of his profession.
Each
Member shall:
1.1 Not attempt, or assist others to attempt, to falsify, conceal or
destroy any facts
or evidence which may relate to an accident.
1.2 Not make any misrepresentations of fact to obtain information that
would
otherwise be denied to him.
1.3 Be responsive to the feelings, sensibilities and emotions of involved
persons,
and shall avoid actions which might aggravate what may already be a delicate
situation.
1.4 Not divulge fragmentary or unsupported information concerning the
accident to parties external to the investigation no matter how publicly
important
such
parties may appear to be.
1.5 Avoid actions or comments which might be reasonably perceived during
the
fact-finding phase of the investigation as favoring one party or another.
1.6 Establish and adhere to the chain of authority with attendant responsibilities
throughout the course of the investigation.
1.7 Not attempt to profit, nor accept profit, other than by normal processes
of
remuneration for professional services. (Note: Fee-splitting in the absence
of
actual work performed or acceptance of contingency fees for investigative
activity are not acceptable conduct.)
1.8 Remain open-minded to the introduction of new evidence or opinions
as to
interpretation of facts as determined through analysis, and be willing
to revise
one’s own findings accordingly.
1.9 Avoid any implication of professional impropriety by continuously
applying the foregoing principles to one’s own endeavors, and encouraging
the
application of these same principles to others associated with air safety
investigation.
2. PRINCIPLES Each Member should respect and adhere to the principles
on which ISASI was founded and developed, as illustrated by the Society’s
Bylaws. Each Member shall:
2.1 Promote accident investigation as a fundamental element in accident
prevention
2.2. Assist other Members to carry out their accident investigation tasks.
2.3 Not use membership status to effect personal gain or favor beyond
signifying qualification to published membership criteria.
2.4 Not represent the Society or imply a position of the Society in public
utterances on any issue unless prior written authority has been received
from the Society President.
2.5 Seek advice of the International Council, via the Secretary, in the
event
a situation arises where contemplated conduct by the Member may violate
the
Bylaws or Code of Ethics and Conduct of the Society.
2.6 Submit evidence of violations of the ISASI Bylaws or this Code to
the Society’s Ethics and Conduct Committee in accordance with procedures
approved by the International Council, and refrain from public discussion
of
the alleged violation until the committee findings have become a matter
of
appropriate record.
2.7 Encourage uninhibited, informal interchange of views among Members;
however, any sensitive information thus gained shall not be made public
or
transmitted to others without clear approval of the person from whom
the
information was gained.
2.8 Have an obligation to improve the professional image of the Society,
however, Members shall:
2.8.1 Refrain from unfounded criticism of officers of the Society either
publicly or privately unless the matter is investigated thoroughly and
brought to the attention of the President with reasonable time being
allocated to review the situation and act accordingly.
2.8.2 Refrain from public criticism of any fellow Member unless that
individual has first been apprised of the alleged basis for that
criticism and given an opportunity for rebuttal.
2.9 Encourage and participate in the education, training and indoctrination
of
personnel likely to become involved actively in accident investigation.
2.10 Develop and implement a personal program for a continually improving
level of professional knowledge applicable to air safety investigation.
2.11 Transfer promptly to the Treasurer of the Society any Society funds
or
property coming into the Member’s possession unless specific use
thereof
has been authorized under the Bylaws.
3. OBJECTIVITY Each Member should lend emphasis to objective determination
of
facts during investigations. Each member shall:
3.1 Ensure that all items presented as facts reflect honest perceptions
or
physical evidence that have been checked insofar as practicable for
accuracy.
3.2 Ensure that each item of information leading to fact determination
be
documented or otherwise identified for a reasonable time for possible
follow-up by others.
3.3 Use the best available expertise and equipment in determining the
validity of information.
3.4 Pursue fact determination expeditiously.
3.5 Following all avenues of fact determination which appear to have
practical value towards achieving accident prevention action.
3.6 Avoid speculation except in the sense of presenting a hypothesis
for testing during the fact-finding and analysis process.
3.7 Refrain from release of factual information publicly except to authorized
persons, by authorized methods and then only when it does not jeopardize
the overall investigation.
3.8 Handle with discretion any information reflecting adversely on persons
or
organizations and, when the information is reasonably established, notify
such persons or organizations of potential criticism before it becomes
a
matter of public record.
4. LOGIC Each Member should develop all accident cause-effect
relationships meaningful to air safety based on logical application of
facts. Each
Member shall:
4.1 Begin sufficiently upstream in each sequence of events so as to ascertain
practicable accident prevention information.
4.2 Continue downstream in a sequence of events sufficiently to include
not
only accident prevention information but also crash injury prevention,
search and survival information.
4.3 Ensure that all safety-meaningful facts, however small are related,
to all
sequences of events.
4.4 Delineate those major facts deemed not to be safety-related, explaining
why they should not be considered as critical in the sequences of events.
4.5. Be particularly alert to value judgments based upon personal experiences
which may influence the analysis; and where suspect, turn to colleagues
for independent assessment of the facts.
4.6 Express the sequences in simple, clear terms which may be understood
by
persons not specializing in a particular discipline.
4.7 Include specialist material supporting the analysis either in an
appendix or
as references clearly identified as to source and availability.
4.8 Prepare illustrative material and select photographs so as not to
present
misleading significance of the data or facts thus portrayed.
4.9 List all documents examined or otherwise associated with the analysis
and
include an index thereof.
5. ACCIDENT PREVENTION Each Member should apply facts and analyses to
develop findings and recommendations that will improve aviation safety.
Each
Member shall:
5.1 Identify from the investigation those cause-effect relationships
about
which something can be done reasonably to prevent similar accidents.
5.2 Document those aviation system shortcomings learned during an
investigation which, while not causative in the accident in question,
are
hazards requiring further study and/or remedial action.
5.3 Communicate
facts, analyses and findings to those people or organizations
which may use such information effectively; such communication to be
constrained only by established policies and procedures of the employer
of
the Member.
5.4 Provide specific, practical recommendations for remedial action when
supported by the findings of the accident having been investigated singly
or as supported by other cases.
5.5 Communicate the above noted information in writing, properly identified
as a matter of record.
5.6 Encourage retention of relevant investigation evidence within the
aviation
system in such a manner as to form an effective baseline for further
investigation of the given accident and/or facilitate analysis in connection
with future accidents.
5.7 Demonstrate a respect for interpretation of facts by others when
developing conclusions regarding a given accident and provide reasonable
opportunity for such views to be made known during the course of the
investigation.
Appendix B
MEMBER SOCIETY AFFILIATION AGREEMENT
WHEREAS each Member Society has as its basic purpose the development
and
improvement of aviation accident investigation.
WHEREAS the rapid development of aviation in every country of the world
necessitates the formation and affiliation of National and Regional Societies
of The
Society of Air Safety Investigators into one International Society for
the advancement of
aviation accident investigation techniques; and
WHEREAS these National and Regional Societies desire to cooperate in
further
advancing this purpose by the regular interchange of ideas, the coordination
of their
activities in the interest of their members and of the people of all
countries:
NOW: THEREFORE the parties here do mutually agree:
1. at all times to adhere to the Bylaws of The International Society
of Air Safety
Investigators and to uphold the honor and dignity of its members.
2. to co-operate with each other in advancing their common interest.
3. to respect each other’s national and regional jurisdictional
policies and to use their
endeavors to be represented as a single International Society.
4. to mutually exchange pertinent Air Safety Investigation information.
5. to respect the constitutional procedures for settling of such differences
as may
arise between Member Societies and to abide by the decisions reached.
6. to refrain from abusing or taking advantage of the confidences reposed
in them by
the Council of The International Society of Air Safety Investigators
or any
member Societies thereof.
7. to prevent all considerations of politics, race, color, creed or National
origin from
influencing the free and fair determination of questions which may come
before
them.
8. to faithfully observe the provisions of The International Society
of Air Safety
Investigators Bylaws as now adopted and as hereinafter amended.
9. to abstain from conduct deleterious to the interests of the Air Safety
Investigators
profession or which falls below the standards established by the Code
of Ethics
and Conduct of The International Society of Air Safety Investigators.
10. to provide the International Council with an annual financial statement
and
evidence of any election held in accordance with approved bylaws to assure
viability.
Within the outline of this agreement, Member Societies, with the approval
of the
Council of The International Society of Air Safety Investigators, may
adopt
whatever Constitution and/or Bylaws they consider to be in the best interest
of
their members and of The International Society of Air Safety Investigators.
This Agreement will remain in effect until amended or until the International
Society is dissolved in accordance with its Articles of Incorporation.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the duly authorized representatives of the parties
hereto have hereunto set their hands.
_____________________________ Representing
_____________________________ Society of Air Safety Investigators, now
affiliating with The International Society
of Air Safety Investigators
_____________________________
President
The International Society of Air Safety Investigators
_________________,19________
Appendix C
THE CHARTER OF AFFILIATION
The Charter of Affiliation granted in compliance with ARTICLE VI of the
ISASI Bylaws
shall take style and form given hereinafter.
THE INTERNATIONAL
SOCIETY OF AIR
SAFETY INVESTIGATORS
To Whom It May Concern
Greetings: BY VIRTUE OF THE AUTHORITY AND PREROGATIVE vested in The
International Society of Air Safety Investigators by its Bylaws.
NOW THEREFORE, this Charter of Affiliation is granted to
_______________________________________________________________________
The conditions and obligations of this Member Organization under this
Charter are
faithfully to support and maintain the principles set forth in the Bylaws
of the
International Society and to advance the policies determined from time
to time by Annual
Meetings of the International Society. For failure so to do, this Charter
may be
suspended or revoked forthwith, whichever shall be deemed in the best
interest of The
International Society.
This Charter, signed by the President and Secretary of The International
Society of Air
Safety Investigators is given its seal this ______day of _________, 19_____.
______________________________________
President
International Society of Air Safety Investigators
_______________________________________
Secretary
International Society of Air Safety Investigators
