How to Grab the Low Hanging Fruit?

1
How to Grab the Low Hanging Fruit?

• Guidelines for Mechanics and Managers on Fatigue
  Countermeasure Training

World Aviation Training Symposium
Katrina Avers, Ph.D. Bill Johnson, Ph.D. Erica
Hauck, M.S.
April 27-29, 2010
2
Talking Points

• Is Fatigue a Concern in MX Operations
• Current RD for Maintenance Fatigue
• Steps to an Effective Fatigue
• Training Program
• Organizational Implications
• Training Limits
• Next Steps (after training)
• Available Resources

3
Is Fatigue a Concern in MX Operations?
Field Study of Aviation Maintenance Technicians
(Johnson et al., 2001)
Shift Min Max Mean
Day (N30) 324 638 506
Afternoon (N19) 240 631 504
Grave (N12) 401 609 500
Average Sleep 505
Data from about 20,000 hours of Actigraph
4
Is Fatigue a Concern in MX Operations?

• National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)
• Reduce accidents and incidents caused by human
  fatigue in the aviation industry (NTSB Most
  Wanted)
• Review the issue of personnel fatigue in aviation
  maintenance then establish duty time limitations
  consistent with the current state of scientific
  knowledge for personnel who perform maintenance
  on air carrier aircraft (A-97-71)
• Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
• The aircraft maintenance work environment is a
  leading problem area for high levels of physical
  and cognitive fatigue (FAA Fatigue Conference,
  2008)

5
An Example from Industry

• I have been a lead mechanic for over 25 years
  for the airlines. Have I ever worked tired or
  seen others work tired when they shouldn't have?
  Yes. Do other mechanics, leads and management
  know about it? Yes. Have mistakes been made due
  to fatigue? Yes... When errors are made we catch
  them and repair them and press on with the job.

6
Current RD for Maintenance Fatigue

• Multi-disciplinary workgroup
• Develop integrated, scientifically-based,
  practical solutions
• Short-term (Low Hanging Fruit)
• Long-term

7
Steps to an Effective Training Program

1. Motivate the learner
2. Help the learner diagnose their challenges
3. Empower the learner with knowledge to overcome
   challenges
4. Reinforce the learning

8
Step 1 - Motivation Whats in it for me?

• INDIVIDUAL
• Improved quality of life
• Increased average sleep times
• Fewer physical illnesses
• COMPANY
• Reduced absenteeism
• Reduced turnover
• Reduced morale problems
• Fewer accidents and injuries

9
Step 1 - Motivation Whats in for me?
10
Step 2 - Diagnosis Is fatigue an issue for me?

• Most people overestimate their sleep
• Several methods to improve diagnosis
• Sleep diary
• Symptom checklist
• Supplemental incident form

11
Sleep Diary
Bed Time Wake Time Caffeine
Awakenings
12
(No Transcript)
13
Symptom Checklist
Physical Symptoms Mental Symptoms Emotional Symptoms
Yawning repeatedly Heavy eyelids or microsleeps Eye-rubbing Nodding off or head drooping Headaches, nausea, or upset stomach Slowed reaction time Lack of energy, weakness, or light headedness Difficulty concentrating on tasks Lapses in attention Failure to communicate important information Failure to anticipate events or actions Making mistakes even on well-practiced tasks Forgetfulness Difficulty thinking clearly Poor decision making More quiet or withdrawn than normal Lack of motivation to do the task well Irritable or grumpy with colleagues, family, or friends Low morale
14
Supplemental Incident Form
Commute Time Work Schedule Recent Sleep Typical
Sleep Naps
15
Step 4 Reinforcement Promoting Fatigue
Awareness at Work

• Utilize international attention to fatigue in
  aviation to improve awareness and reinforce
  training
• Utilize available fatigue awareness materials
• Calendars
• Newsletters
• Posters
• HFPS

16
Fatigue Awareness Materials
Calendar
Newsletter
HFPS
Posters
17
Organizational Implications

• Training is the first step toward addressing
  job-related fatigue
• Knowledgeable employees are more likely to
  embrace change if they understand and recognize
  the effect of fatigue
• Manager training must include guidance on
• How to develop science-based schedules
• How to allocate tasks when fatigue is a concern
• How to continually evaluate fatigue-related safety

18
Training Limits

• Fatigue countermeasure training is a low-hanging
  fruit with substantial benefits, but
• it has its limits
• it cannot extend human physical and mental
  capabilities beyond design limits
• Training is a first step in active fatigue risk
  management

19
Future Plans for MX Fatigue Workgroup

• Training program for supervisors
• Review of fatigue modeling and scheduling tools
• Return-on-investment assessment for fatigue
  management interventions
• Operational handbook
• Instructions for implementing a fatigue risk
  management system
• Tools needed for implementing a fatigue risk
  management system

20
Current Available Resources
https//hfskyway.faa.gov/hfskyway/fatigueHome.aspx

• Fatigue Management Toolbox
• News and Events
• Education Materials
• Publications/Articles
• Regulations
• Links
• Questions/Help

Shortcut at mxfatigue.com
21
Contacts
Research Program Manager Glen R.
Gallaway Maintenance Human Factors Research
Program Mgr. Human Factors Research and
Engineering Group, ATO-P Email
Glen.Gallaway_at_faa.gov Phone [phone]

• Principal Investigator
• Katrina Avers, Ph.D.
• Industrial/Organizational
• Research Psychologist
• Email Katrina.Avers_at_faa.gov
• Phone [phone]

Sponsors
Bill Johnson, Ph.D. Chief Scientific and
Technical Advisor for Human Factors Email
Bill-Dr.Johnson_at_faa.gov Phone [phone] 

• Mr. Jay Hiles
• ASI-National Staff Specialist-
• Human Factors
• Email John.J.Hiles_at_faa.gov
• Phone [phone] 
•  

22
Questions?