Flight Attendant Fatigue, Part IV: Analysis of Incident Reports

Holcomb, Kali; Avers, Katrina Bedell; Dobbins, Lena; Banks, Joy; Blackwell, Lauren V.; Nesthus, Thomas E.

doi:10.1037/e733972011-001

Cited by 4 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 10 publications

(16 reference statements)

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“…Although it is possible that participants self-selected into the study because fatigue is a major concern for them, the present findings corroborate previous research on cabin crew fatigue [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9] , suggesting that participating cabin crew were not suffering considerably more from fatigue than their colleagues. Each group tended to reach consensus about the issues even though every effort was made to ensure that all participants had the opportunity to be heard.…”

Section: Study Limitationssupporting

confidence: 87%

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Fatigue risk management for cabin crew: the importance of company support and sufficient rest for work-life balance—a qualitative study

2020

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Knowledge about cabin crew fatigue associated with ultra-long range (ULR) flights is still limited. Current ULR scheduling for cabin crew is therefore predominantly based on flight crew data. Cabin crews' views on fatigue, and their strategies for mitigating it, have seldom been sought. To better understand the causes and consequences of cabin crew fatigue, semi-structured focus group discussions were held. Thematic analysis was undertaken with data from 25 cabin crew. Participants indicated that the consequences of fatigue are twofold, affecting 1) cabin crew health and wellbeing and 2) safety (cabin, passenger and personal) and cabin service. While the primary causes of fatigue were sleep loss and circadian disruption, participants also identified other key factors including: insufficient rest, high workload, the work environment, a lack of company support, and insufficient fatigue management training. They highlighted the importance of sufficient rest, not only for obtaining adequate recovery sleep but also for achieving a work-life balance. They also highlighted the need for company support, effective communication, and management's engagement with cabin crew in general. We recommend that priority is given to fatigue management training for cabin crew, which may also enhance perceived company support and assist with achieving a better work-life balance.

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Section: Study Limitationssupporting

confidence: 87%

“…The aviation industry offers 24/7 service, which creates a number of challenges for cabin crew. They often experience irregular schedules, long duty periods, circadian rhythm disruption, sleep loss and high workload, which have all been shown to be contributing factors to cabin crew fatigue [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9] .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fatigue risk management for cabin crew: the importance of company support and sufficient rest for work-life balance—a qualitative study

2020

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“…The FAA Civil Aerospace Medical Institute and NASA have been conducting a comprehensive work program looking into fatigue at the instigation of Congress for the past 6 yr ( 85 ( 53 ). The U.S. regulations were considered less protective than ICAO-derived Fatigue Risk Management Systems and a working group has been established to evaluate the potential for an adaptive fatigue mitigation safety system that would apply to fl ight attendants ( 8 ).…”

Section: Fatigue and Circadian Dysrhythmiamentioning

confidence: 99%

The Occupational Health and Safety of Flight Attendants

Griffiths¹,

Powell²

2012

aviat space environ med

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In order to perform safety-critical roles in emergency situations, flight attendants should meet minimum health standards and not be impaired by factors such as fatigue. In addition, the unique occupational and environmental characteristics of flight attendant employment may have consequential occupational health and safety implications, including radiation exposure, cancer, mental ill-health, musculoskeletal injury, reproductive disorders, and symptoms from cabin air contamination. The respective roles of governments and employers in managing these are controversial. A structured literature review was undertaken to identify key themes for promoting a future agenda for flight attendant health and safety. Recommendations include breast cancer health promotion, implementation of Fatigue Risk Management Systems, standardization of data collection on radiation exposure and health outcomes, and more coordinated approaches to occupational health and safety risk management. Research is ongoing into cabin air contamination incidents, cancer, and fatigue as health and safety concerns. Concerns are raised that statutory medical certification for flight attendants will not benefit either flight safety or occupational health.

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“…These fatigue levels are influenced by type of operation, duty duration, continuous-duty overnights, reserve practices, reduced rest, lack of breaks, restricted rest periods, and duty report times (Avers et al, 2009; Roma et al, 2010). Some of the key conclusions resulting from these studies indicated that the industry needs to:identify ways to improve schedules from a science-based approach to maximize alertness and minimize fatigue while meeting operational and economic constraints of the industry;develop an adaptive fatigue mitigation safety system such as a fatigue risk management system (FRMS) that combines scientific principles and knowledge with operational support and constraints;apply scientific modeling tools to maximize alertness and minimize fatigue while meeting operational and economic constraints;develop and administer a comprehensive, science-based fatigue countermeasure training program; andestablish a flight attendant fatigue workgroup of subject matter experts, aviation stakeholders, medical and research scientists, and aviation safety management system (SMS) experts to evaluate 14 CFR sections 121.467 and 135.273 for possible revision (Avers, Hauck, Blackwell, & Nesthus, 2009; Avers, King, Nesthus, Thomas, & Banks, 2009; Banks, Avers, Nesthus, & Hauck, 2009; Holcomb et al, 2009; Nesthus et al, 2007; Roma et al, 2010). …”

Section: Faa Fatigue Research and Development: A Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Review of Federal Aviation Administration Fatigue Research

Avers

Johnson

2011

Aviation Psychology and Applied Human Factors

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Human fatigue remains a significant challenge in aviation. Basic scientific research has studied fatigue and created a solid scientific understanding. Current efforts seek to transfer the available research into operational environments. This document reviews the research and development conducted by the US Federal Aviation Administration over the past 50 years and focuses on studies that have led to the successful transition from science into the aviation industry. Further, this article reviews current strategies and methods used to transition research into workplace operations.

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Flight Attendant Fatigue, Part IV: Analysis of Incident Reports

Abstract: This document is disseminated under the sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Transportation in the interest of information exchange. The United States Government assumes no liability for the contents thereof.

Cited by 4 publications

References 10 publications

Fatigue risk management for cabin crew: the importance of company support and sufficient rest for work-life balance—a qualitative study

Fatigue risk management for cabin crew: the importance of company support and sufficient rest for work-life balance—a qualitative study

The Occupational Health and Safety of Flight Attendants

A Review of Federal Aviation Administration Fatigue Research

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