The Analysis of Work Shift Patterns and Risk of Fatigue in Aircraft Maintenance Personnel: A Case Study

Abstract

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, PT. XYZ, the biggest aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) company in Indonesia, implemented a new shift pattern for line-maintenance personnel. The new shift pattern allows maintenance personnel to have fewer working hours per day (7-hour shifts) in more shift varieties for 5 consecutive days. Maintenance personnel will have 2-morning shifts, 1-noon shift, and 2-night shifts followed by 3 rest days. This study aims to explore the risk of fatigue caused by the newly implemented shift pattern. Data were collected through electronic questionnaires from a total of 303 respondents. This study found that at the time of the survey, many respondents (78 of 303, 26%) felt tired and had difficulty concentrating, regardless of the shift they were in. Based on the duty time, the highest scores of level 6 (tired, difficult to concentrate) were discovered on night shift day 5. This result shows that although the organization had provided the maintenance personnel with the opportunity to obtain sleep during rest days, tiredness and fatigue were still experienced by the aircraft maintenance personnel. This study recommends necessary actions to be taken to prevent fatigue, especially from the noon shift afterwards, where fatigue level is increasing, and alertness level is decreasing.

A case study of factors impacting fatigue in aircraft maintenance technicians (AMT)

“…The irregularity of work hours not only impacts the physical endurance of AMTs but also presents safety risks in an industry where precision and attentiveness are vital. As the aviation sector recognizes the importance of personnel wellbeing, it becomes crucial to devise strategies that minimize the negative effects of extended and irregular work hours on ATMs' This ensures the well-being of AMTs and promotes the overall safety and efficiency of aviation operations [9] .…”