The Requirements for New Tools for Use by Pilots and the Aviation Industry to Manage Risks Pertaining to Work-Related Stress (WRS) and Wellbeing, and the Ensuing Impact on Performance and Safety

Abstract

<jats:p>Work is part of our wellbeing and a key driver of a person’s health. Pilots need to be fit for duty and aware of risks that compromise their health/wellbeing. Recent studies suggest that work-related stress (WRS) impacts on pilot health and wellbeing, performance, and flight safety. This paper reports on the advancement of new tools for pilots and airlines to support the management of WRS and wellbeing. This follows from five phases of stakeholder evaluation research and analysis. Existing pre-flight checklists should be extended to enable the crew to evaluate their health and wellbeing. New checklists might be developed for use by pilots while off duty supporting an assessment of (1) their biopsychosocial health status and (2) how they are coping. This involves the advancement of phone apps with different wellness functions. Pending pilot consent, data captured in these tools might be shared in a de-identified format with the pilot’s airline. Existing airline safety management systems (SMS) and flight rostering/planning systems might be augmented to make use of this data from an operational and risk/safety management perspective. Fatigue risk management systems (and by implication airline rostering/flight planning systems) need to be extended to consider the relationship between fatigue risk and the other dimensions of a pilot’s wellbeing. Further, pending permission, pilot data might be shared with airline employee assistance program (EAP) personnel and aeromedical examiners. In addition, new training formats should be devised to support pilot coping skills. The proposed tools can support the management of WRS and wellbeing. In turn, this will support performance and safety. The pilot specific tools will enable the practice of healthy behaviors, which in turn strengthens a pilot’s resistance to stress. Healthy work relates to the creation of positive wellbeing within workplaces and workforces and has significant societal implications. Pilots face many occupational hazards that are part of their jobs. Pilots, the aviation industry, and society should recognize and support the many activities that contribute to positive wellbeing for pilots. Social justice is a basic premise for quality of employment and quality of life.</jats:p>

21st International Symposium on Aviation Psychology

“…Potentially, the existing supports provided to aviation workers are not fit for purpose. New tools to support wellbeing management on the part of pilots and other aviaiton workers have been proposed and might be consdiered (Cahill et al, 2020). There is a real need for aviation organisations to actively promote and enable a wellbeing culturesupporting healthy behaviour, promoting awareness of mental health and enabling workers to talk about their mental health.…”

“…This includes (1) being at work during the COVID outbreak, (2) being off work and (3) returning to work (Nelson et al, 2020). Prior research by the authors had identified the requirements for digital tools to support self care and fitness for work assessment for pilots, and other aviation workers (Cahill et al, 2020).…”

Addressing Human Factors and Ethics in the Design of ‘Future Work’ and Intelligent Systems for Use in Financial Services - Person Centered Operations, Intelligent Work & the Triple Bottom Line

“…To this end, new work management systems and technologies are addressing how work is managed, the experience of work and the management of the home/work interface. This is particularly evidenced in healthcare and aviation [4].…”

COVID-19 and Aviation

“…In addition to the evident impression that COVID-19 has made in the aviation industry comprising components such as the airlines, tourism, and cargo, pilots will have to explore the lockdown and what it means for their future careers concerning their medical certification and currency requirements to maintain a license [38]. According to Cahill et al, 2020, "COVID-19, the aviation industry will not be the same, and nor will those who remain working in the industry."…”

“…According to Cahill et al, 2020, "COVID-19, the aviation industry will not be the same, and nor will those who remain working in the industry." As more flights are grounded and fewer passengers are traveling, fewer jobs are now available for pilots [38]. ICAO is potentially granting temporary extensions of upcoming expired medical certifications for a particular period during the COVID-19 pandemic via the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to increase flexibility and relieve some of the ongoing stressors that pilots are already facing from the pandemic [39].…”