Federal Aviation
Administration
How to Grab the Low
Hanging Fruit?
Guidelines for Mechanics
and Managers on Fatigue
Countermeasure Training
Presented to: World Aviation Training Symposium
By: Katrina Avers, Ph.D.
Bill Johnson, Ph.D.
Erica Hauck, M.S.
Date: April 27-29, 2010
Talking Points
• Is Fatigue a Concern in MX Operations
• Current R&D for Maintenance Fatigue
• Steps to an Effective Fatigue
Training Program
• Organizational Implications
• Training Limits
• Next Steps (after training)
• Available Resources
World Aviation Training Symposium
April 27-29, 2010 Orlando, FL
Federal Aviation
Administration
2
2
Is Fatigue a Concern in MX Operations?
Field Study of Aviation Maintenance Technicians
(Johnson et al., 2001)
Shift*
Min
Max
Mean
Day (N=30)
3:24
6:38
5:06
Afternoon (N=19)
2:40
6:31
5:04
Grave (N=12)
4:01
6:09
5:00
Average Sleep = 5:05
*Data from about 20,000 hours of Actigraph
World Aviation Training Symposium
April 27-29, 2010 Orlando, FL
Federal Aviation
Administration
3
3
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)
World Aviation Training Symposium
April 27-29, 2010 Orlando, FL
Federal Aviation
Administration
4
4
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….”
World Aviation Training Symposium
April 27-29, 2010 Orlando, FL
Federal Aviation
Administration
5
5
Current R&D for Maintenance Fatigue
• Multi-disciplinary workgroup
• Develop integrated, scientifically-based, practical
solutions
– Short-term (Low Hanging Fruit)
– Long-term
World Aviation Training Symposium
April 27-29, 2010 Orlando, FL
Federal Aviation
Administration
6
6
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
World Aviation Training Symposium
April 27-29, 2010 Orlando, FL
Federal Aviation
Administration
7
7
Step 1 - Motivation: What’s 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
World Aviation Training Symposium
April 27-29, 2010 Orlando, FL
Federal Aviation
Administration
8
8
1.04
1.02
1.00
0.98
0.96
0.94
0.92
10
12
14
16
18
20
22
Hours of Wakefulness
World Aviation Training Symposium
April 27-29, 2010 Orlando, FL
24
26
Relative Tracking Performance
Relative Tracking Performance
Step 1 - Motivation: What’s in for me?
1.04
1.00
0.96
0.92
0.88
0.84
0.00 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.10 0.12 0.14
Blood Alcohol Concentration (%)
Federal Aviation
Administration
9
9
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
World Aviation Training Symposium
April 27-29, 2010 Orlando, FL
Federal Aviation
Administration
10
10
Sleep Diary
Sleep Log: Example
Sun
Mon
Tue
Thu
Thu
Fri
Sat
11/1/09 8:30 PM
11/2/09 1:30 PM
11/3/09 10:30 AM
11/5/09 2:30 AM
11/5/09 8:30 PM
11/6/09 11:30 PM
11/7/09 11:30 PM
11/2/09 8:30 AM
11/2/09 10:24 PM
11/3/09 6:44 PM
11/5/09 6:44 AM
11/6/09 7:44 AM
11/7/09 8:04 AM
11/8/09 4:44 AM
4
3
2
1
0
3
2
Did you take a nap? Y/N
Y
Y
Y
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Rate the quality of your sleep: 1 =
poor, 5 = excellent
3
3
3
2
4
3
2
Total Sleep time: (h:mm:ss). Will
auto calculate based on wake and
bed times
12:00:00
8:54:00
8:14:00
4:14:00
11:14:00
8:34:00
5:14:00
Day of the week
Bed time: Enter date & time
(mm/dd/yyyy 00:00 AM/PM)
Wake time: Enter date & time
(mm/dd/yyyy 00:00 AM/PM)
How many times did you
wake-up during your sleep period?
Did you take a sleep aid? Y/N
Your total average hours of sleep
this week
(Naps not included):
8:20:34
Note: Deduct 30 mins from your total for sleep inertia (the period it
takes to wake-up and fall asleep). If you are getting less than 7 hours of
sleep on average, you may need to change your sleep habits.
Your total average number of
awakenings this week:
2.1
Note: If you are experiencing multiple awakenings (longer than 20 mins)
during your sleep period, you may have a sleep disorder and should
consult a physician.
Quality of your sleep on average:
2.9
This rating is based on a (1 - 5) scale. 1=poor, 5=excellent.
*Caffeine=coffee, tea, caffeinated soda, chocolate, energy drinks, & certain medications
World Aviation Training Symposium
April 27-29, 2010 Orlando, FL
Federal Aviation
Administration
11
11
World Aviation Training Symposium
April 27-29, 2010 Orlando, FL
Federal Aviation
Administration
12
12
Symptom Checklist
Physical Symptoms
Mental 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
World Aviation Training Symposium
April 27-29, 2010 Orlando, FL
Emotional Symptoms
 More quiet or withdrawn
than normal
 Lack of motivation to do
the task well
 Irritable or grumpy with
colleagues, family, or
friends
 Low morale
Federal Aviation
Administration
13
13
Supplemental Incident Form
General Description of Work and Sleep History ( * indicates 'required' items)
Describe your work / sleep history prior to the work task, even if the problem was not related to work hours / sleep history.
Hours
Minutes
Start
End
Work Schedule
Length of commute to work:*
Work schedule (Local Military Time):*
Commute Time
day of task
(mm/dd/yy 00:00)
1 day prior
(mm/dd/yy 00:00)
2 days prior
(mm/dd/yy 00:00)
3 days prior
(mm/dd/yy 00:00)
Recent Sleep
(mm/dd/yy 00:00)
4 days prior
Enter 'NA' if you did not work.
Go to sleep
Wake up
Typical sleep period (Local Military Time):*
Typical Sleep
Sleep period in the 24 hrs prior to work task (Local Military Time):*
1st nap in the 24 hrs prior to work task (Local Military Time):*
2nd nap in 24 hrs prior to work task (Local Military Time):*
Enter 'NA' if not applicable.
Naps
Rev 02/23/2010
World Aviation Training Symposium
April 27-29, 2010 Orlando, FL
Federal Aviation
Administration
14
14
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
World Aviation Training Symposium
April 27-29, 2010 Orlando, FL
Federal Aviation
Administration
15
15
Fatigue Awareness Materials
Newsletter
HFPS
Calendar
FREE MX Fatigue Awareness Posters
Posters
Click on icon to get FREE posters.
World Aviation Training Symposium
April 27-29, 2010 Orlando, FL
Federal Aviation
Administration
16
16
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
World Aviation Training Symposium
April 27-29, 2010 Orlando, FL
Federal Aviation
Administration
17
17
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
World Aviation Training Symposium
April 27-29, 2010 Orlando, FL
Federal Aviation
Administration
18
18
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
World Aviation Training Symposium
April 27-29, 2010 Orlando, FL
Federal Aviation
Administration
19
19
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
World Aviation Training Symposium
April 27-29, 2010 Orlando, FL
Federal Aviation
Administration
20
20
Contacts
Principal Investigator
Research Program Manager
Katrina Avers, Ph.D.
Industrial/Organizational
Research Psychologist
Email: Katrina.Avers@faa.gov
Phone: (405) 954-1199
Glen R. Gallaway
Maintenance Human Factors Research Program Mgr.
Human Factors Research and Engineering Group, ATO-P
Email: Glen.Gallaway@faa.gov
Phone: (202) 267-3173
Sponsors
Mr. Jay Hiles
ASI-National Staff SpecialistHuman Factors
Email: John.J.Hiles@faa.gov
Phone: (202) 385-6421
World Aviation Training Symposium
April 27-29, 2010 Orlando, FL
Bill Johnson, Ph.D.
Chief Scientific and Technical
Advisor for Human Factors
Email: Bill-Dr.Johnson@faa.gov
Phone: (770) 458-7921
Federal Aviation
Administration
21
21
Questions?
World Aviation Training Symposium
April 27-29, 2010 Orlando, FL
Federal Aviation
Administration
22
22