An Evaluation of Aviation Maintenance Fatigue Countermeasures Training
Abstract
A 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 general fatigue knowledge. Training also had an immediate positive affect on employees 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.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 2013
- Accession Number
- ADA603521
Entities
People
- Brenda M. Wenzel
- E. L. Hauck
- Joy O. Banks
- Katrina E. Avers
Organizations
- Federal Aviation Administration