An Evaluation of Aviation Maintenance Fatigue Countermeasures Training

Civil Aerospace Medical Institute2013PDFTech ReportBanks, Joy O.Wenzel, Brenda M.Avers, Katrina E.Hauck, E.L.Civil Aerospace Medical InstituteKenexa, Inc.Civil Aeromedical InstituteUnited States. Office of Aerospace MedicineUnited StatesFatigue (Physiological condition)TrainingCountermeasuresAircraftAviation safetyMaintenance personnelEvaluationAviationEducation and TrainingSafety and Human FactorsI10: Economics and AdministrationDOT/FAA/AM-13/9AM-A-08-HRR-521A major airline volunteered to help the Federal Aviation Administration Civil Aerospace Medical Institute (CAMI) test a fatigue countermeasures training adapted for maintenance employees by providing employee participants and a training facility. The three-hour classroom training was developed, delivered, and evaluated by CAMI. Written tests and self-reports were used in the evaluation of the training to measure changes in employee knowledge, attitude, and behavior regarding fatigue and how to manage the associated risk. Questionnaires were administered up to one week before training, at the end of training, and six weeks following training. The training was effective in increasing employees\u2019 general fatigue knowledge. Training also had an immediate positive affect on employees\u2019 awareness of the importance in and commitment toward managing fatigue; however, their commitment, motivation, and self-efficacy toward fatigue management significantly declined six weeks following training. At follow-up, there were increases in consistent use of a few good sleep routine habits and avoidance of the majority of sleep routine and health and fitness bad habits, but there was no real impact on good work-life habits. Additionally, the occurrence of good work-life habits declined. Follow-up results suggest the maintenance organization needs to better support fatigue management in the work environment to realize long-term organizational benefits of fatigue countermeasures training. A computer-based version of the fatigue countermeasures training is available online (MXfatigue.com) at no cost.119