New Paper Calls For Fatigue Risk Management Systems
Australia’s aviation industry is being urged to adopt a
new scientific approach to minimizing pilot fatigue.
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority has issued a discussion
paper calling on the aviation industry to consider the introduction
of fatigue risk management systems as an alternative to current
prescribed flight and duty limitations.
The existing regulations state pilots should be rostered for a
maximum of 11 hours, with an 8 hour flying limit. However, there
are many approved exemptions to these limits.
The discussion paper includes a variety of options for industry
consideration, including the proposal that air operators be given
the choice of developing their own fatigue risk management system
within regulatory guidelines or using new scientifically based
limits for pilot duty and flying.
If the introduction of fatigue risk management systems is
accepted by they aviation industry, they would be developed by each
air operator to suit the nature of their flying.
Systems would reflect the fatigue risk in each operation, with
small operators with little risk of fatigue needing only a simple
system. This could include a well-designed pilot roster based on
current scientific evidence provided by CASA.
The fatigue risk management system would also include actions
for minimizing the risk of fatigue if these rules were broken. For
example, actions could be a later start to work, an earlier finish
or naps during shifts.
Larger and more complex
airlines would need a more sophisticated way of developing rosters
and managing fatigue. Airlines could use computer systems to
develop and manage rosters, with software assessing and predicting
the levels of fatigue caused by various work schedules.
Under a fatigue risk management system, staff would need to be
fully consulted on fatigue management and given education on the
physiology of sleep for shift workers, practical steps they can
take to avoid fatigue and the effects of shift work on their
personal life and health.
CASA says scientifically-based fatigue risk management systems
will deliver better safety due to increased awareness and
understanding of fatigue, as well as improved operational
flexibility and efficiency for air operators.
CASA is proposing that any change to the management of fatigue
in the aviation industry be phased in over two to five years to
minimize cost and organizational impacts.