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.

FMI: http://rrp.casa.gov.au/download/04_dp.asp