What we do
Our Vision
A world in which aviation and maritime safety are continuously improved by the tackling of human factors safety-related issues, underpinned by a strong safety culture.
Our Charitable Objects
- Gather information on the circumstances of incidents and accidents involving aviation and maritime modes of transportation through a confidential reporting system for the collection of Human Factors safety-related issues, to analyse data and identify trends.
- Advise interested bodies on Human Factors issues relevant to air and maritime transport safety with the aim of the preservation of human life and the protection of the environment.
The Strategic Outcomes we seek
- Better leadership, awareness and attitude towards safety issues.
- Improve the safety culture by changing behaviours, so that practices, processes and procedures are as safe as they can be.
- Safety outcomes identified in CHIRP reports are adopted by regulators, managers and individuals.
Our Mission
To help improve aviation and maritime safety and build a Just Culture by managing an independent and influential programme for the confidential reporting of human factors–related safety issues.
We will do this by:
- Receiving and considering reports that might not otherwise be submitted through formal reporting processes;
- Analysing the data to identify issues and trends;
- Disseminating safety-related reports and trends that we consider will be of public benefit.
Our Beneficiaries
Our beneficiaries are a large and diverse community that in the broadest sense includes all those whose lives are touched by the aviation and maritime industries and who benefit from the Trust’s Mission.
The community includes:
- Individuals who are directly affected by improved safety: aviators, mariners, the public; and,
- Individuals and Organisations that could or do play a role in improving safety
Our Unique Selling Point
Our incident reporting programme is unique for 4 reasons: we focus on the under-lying Human Factors; we are confidential; we are independent; we follow up reports with the organisations concerned.
The CHIRP “Human Factors” Definition
Human Factors is the consideration of mental and physical capabilities, limitations and actions that relate to the way humans interface and perform within their environment safely, comfortably and effectively
Governance – how we organise ourselves
CHIRP was established in its present form as a charitable company, limited by guarantee, on 1 November 1996.
The Trustees are responsible for ensuring that the Charity delivers against its charitable objects and are led by our Chair, Ruth Kaufman. Over the past two years the Trustees have overseen a restructure and refocus of the Board and have completed a full strategic review to ensure that the charity is in the best possible state to deliver its vision and mission.
The Board of Trustees’ responsibilities include:
- Establishing and owning the strategic direction of the charity
- Setting annual business plan targets and budgets
- Monitoring Programme performance against defined objectives.
- Ensuring that the Charity is fit as a Going Concern and ensuring that all reports are submitted to the regulators.
Our Team
We have a small central team, all of whom work part time to fulfill their duties:
- Executive Director
- Aviation Director
- Maritime Director
- Administration & Finance Manager and Company Secretary
Much of the detailed work on the reports submitted is done by our colleagues who work as contractors to perform the role Programme Managers, and who provide crucial subject matter expertise.
Funding
The Aviation Programmes are sponsored by a grant of funding from the Civil Aviation Authority.
The Maritime Programmes are funded from a variety of sources including: The Corporation of Trinity House, Lloyd’s Register Foundation, The Seafarers’ Charity, TK Foundation, ITF The Seafarers’ Trust, IFAN and Thomas Miller.
Values
How we work
All who work for or with CHIRP, whether as a Trustee, employee or contractor are committed to working with:
- Accountability
- Integrity
- Honesty
- Transparency
We will achieve our values through the following guiding principles:
- Working together effectively, internally and externally;
- Developing and empowering our staff, and valuing their contribution;
- Continuously seeking to improve our performance and processes.
We will carry out our duties in a fair, equitable and consistent manner. We will undertake effective liaison with our sponsors and all other bodies whose staff populate the expert advisory boards, and we will arrange that a sufficient number of independent advisors attend to ensure that CHIRP staff receive fair and equitable information.
As far as practically possible without in any way compromising confidences or revealing the identity of reporters, we will maintain relationships with appropriate branches of the aviation and maritime industries that are appropriate to the resolution of safety concerns.
People
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the core of a safe and just culture. CHIRP believes the best teams not only share common goals and values, but they also need a diverse set of skills, perspectives and experiences to truly succeed.
We therefore actively seek to engage diverse employees, trustees, members and supporters to promote inclusion and diversity. Doing so strengthens our ability to serve the aviation and maritime safety communities, drives innovation and growth, and enables us to attract and retain the talent required to strive for continuous safety improvement.
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