Stress in Air Traffic Controllers - Research Paper Example

Stress in Air Traffic Controllers Abstract The paper seeks to look into some of the critical issues concerning safety measures in the commercial aviation industry. It focuses more on the concept of stress in Air Traffic Controllers (ATC) and how high stress levels can affect the performance of ATCs. Further emphasis is laid on the various measures that can be put into place to address some of the safety issues in commercial aviation industry through the risk management strategies. Several aspects of the whole case arise in the whole program of addressing the issue. It becomes a matter of collective responsibility in the bid to address safety issues and come up with modalities to mitigate any safety threats in the future. At the end, we realize that all the players in the industry have the specific roles to play towards the program. Introduction In an increasingly competitive global environment, where the scramble for resources and the search for tangible opportunities seem to have overtaken any other global undertaking, the importance of commercial aviation cannot be overemphasized. Commercial aviation plays a very central role in the overall growth of any economy across the world. It is therefore imperative to look into the key issues that govern the aviation industry to ensure its success and proper functionalism. The concept of aviation security comes in as one of the most pressing issues in this regard. The commercial aviation industry continues to face a number of challenges with respect to safety and security of the passengers it transports. While it can be argued that much progress has since been realized in addressing and instituting safety measures, it is worth noting that safety is so important that any effort could never be enough (Sweet 2009). Stress in Air Traffic Controllers (ATC) One of the most pressing issues that affect commercial airline operators is the high stress levels evidenced in air traffic controllers (Dekker 2007). Indeed, this job requires high levels of expertise, knowledge, and practical application of this experience. As such, the air traffic controllers are normally expected to demonstrate high amounts of alertness considering that their duties are very core toward air safety. They are required to display a mixture of interpersonal skills together with human cognitive aspects in a way that blends well to give high performance levels. Stress is indeed a very negative phenomenon that must always be addressed as a safety measure in the aviation industry. In ATC, stress is normally a very great playing factor that limits proper functionality and performance. Well, considering the great role played by ATC in the industry, it becomes important to keenly delve into the concept of stress and unveil all the important information pertaining to its mitigation. The causal factors of the stress In most commercial airlines across the United States, air traffic controllers are expected to work under very tight and stringed conditions, which according to psychological studies, breed much of the stress levels realized from them. The causes of stress in ATC are usually a blend of so many external and internal factors within an organization and the individual. These factors are normally from operating complexities within the individual or organizational challenges in the workplace. There are several other sources of stress in ATC. These factors normally emanate from high peak hours, fear of the result of errors, ambiguity in the roles played, and the lack of control over the work process. ATC are among some of the people normally affected by high levels of emotional accidents. Such situations normally arise when air accidents occur involving many casualties or when they lose control due to high work overload. These factors play a very great role in escalating the amount of stress levels that confront most ATC. Several safety threats have always been attributed to poor functionalism, which arises out of high stress levels from traffic controllers. Considering the importance of this job and its relevance in the industry, it creates the importance of instituting very elaborate measures in dealing with this issue in any aviation safety program formulated anywhere. Indeed, it basically boils down to dealing with the negative consequences of stress and mitigating any chances that can give rise to dangerous levels of stress in air traffic controllers. It is further important to realize that the high psychological demands from these aviation workers can be very detrimental in case they work to impair performance. Stress can further escalate social tensions in families, which will work negatively in mounting more pressure on the air traffic workers. The consequences of such a case can only be dangerous if not detrimental on safety grounds. Other human factors have always played part in increasing the safety threats evidenced in commercial aviation industry. While most of the safety hazards are normally contributed by natural phenomena, it is worth noting that in certain instances the responsibility of aircraft accidents lies squarely on human errors. Intoxication is one such error that has over the years been cited as a challenge in air safety (Green 2002). Intoxicated pilots or flight workers can cause very detrimental mistakes .Other factors like poor aircraft maintenance are also part of the problem that has to be addressed at all costs. These human factors can greatly contribute to the safety issues that confront policy makers in the aviation industry. The major objective of this aviation safety program is to enhance safety in the aviation industry through measures aimed at mitigating accidents at all costs. This is done on the platform that all the stakeholders in the industry are part of the problem and must therefore play a role in this humble cause. It requires dedication and voluntary performance and critical attention from all the stakeholders. Dealing with stress in air traffic controllers It is common for people to ignore laid-down policies and act in contravention of expectations. Such wayward judgments can be very risky at times. In the aviation industry, they are even more risky. In dealing with issues such as stress in air traffic controllers, a very elaborate mechanism must be formulated that comprehensively and adequately highlights the problem and provides tangible solutions. Attention can be achieved in these workers by creating a flexible work schedule and instituting appropriate rest pauses concerning the workload of the employees. The objective in this case is to reduce the fatigue and stress so that alertness and attention is clearly evidenced. The arrangement of working teams is highly encouraged, which should always be done in accordance with the density in air traffic. The industry should further adopt a shift system that allows for easy rotation of the workers. Each worker should not have a number of consecutive night shifts as this encourages the challenge of social pressures. The challenge normally arises out of the fact that most of the air traffic controllers are always left in the dark when critical decisions on their work programs are designed. This greatly contributes to the challenges they undergo. There should be a very efficient framework that encourages them to be part of the decision making process in order to reduce much of the work related issues. There should be a proper planning process of the air traffic control unit in any commercial aviation organization. This will ensure that the very critical aspects that concern the ATC are well addressed and proper mechanisms of operations instituted. Conventional research has it that increasing the participation of people in the decision-making process boosts their morale and encourages them to work hard and diligently. It is further advisable to avail very conducive work environments to all the workers in terms of lighting, noise and air quality. The working environment for the aviation workers should never be taken for granted. A proper environment makes an employee to take the organization as a home and will therefore be encouraged to work diligently. Safety The major goal of this program is to reduce accident rates by 10 percent in the next 5 years and by 80 percent in the next two decades. This very critical objective requires a much action-oriented program that draws much from all the central issues that govern the industry. It includes partnerships with all the relevant stakeholders like the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), NASA, and the general aviation industry. The emphasis here is not only to reduce air accidents but also to mitigate injuries in case the accidents do occur. This requires a stream of continuous research to build a system that is geared toward reducing human errors through pilots, air traffic controllers and other participants in the industry. Traffic accidents create many costs for the industry and it is important to minimize these losses in case the profit motive agenda is to remain. Management concept Adoption of a safety culture Safety culture connotes the whole approach of dealing with and managing safety within the industry. Instead of merely instituting rules and regulations to bind the industry players, it is more important to inculcate a sense of attitude amongst the people on the need to individually and collectively practice these safety measures. In this manner, the problem is better addressed and the results are always functional. For instance, a pilot should not be intoxicated on the grounds of the rules that bid his duty but out of the awareness that it is dangerous to do it at a particular time. An environment that has adopted such self-safety awareness measures will normally require simpler supervisory procedures. If such procedures are proper and are implemented in the right way, the results will ensure high safety standards, which is certainly the ultimate objective. Risk management in the aviation industry cannot be effected by mere legislation and governing mandates. Its success lies in fostering and instilling a true sense of priority in the players and making them realize that professional conduct is the major cornerstone in the industry. Safety reporting policy A culture of openness and trust amongst all the players is a very important undertaking towards this collective cause. Safety cannot be achieved unless the employees are in a position to report any occurrences that can cause hazards if not addressed in time. The fear of retribution should not be a cause of concern to the employees in the process of reporting cases. Employees are therefore much encouraged to exercise a sense of urgency in identifying and reporting any conditions that can cause threats without any form of recrimination. As such, disciplinary actions should be taken in instances of negligence, willful disregard and the use of substances that are likely to impair performance. The role of communication In order to facilitate this program, it becomes important to put stress on the imperative role of communication in the whole sum-game. It is important that all players in the industry are given an appropriate forum in which ideas, views and thoughts can be freely exchanged for action measures. Such forums include meetings, written and electronic documentation, and group participation. All the relevant players are actually in a position to give very important suggestions, which can collectively help in bringing change and addressing the issue of safety in the industry. However, it gives much inspiration to the workers if their suggestions are practicated or at least addressed. In such a case, the objective of the whole program if furthered on and eventually realized. System safety System safety is the application of special managerial and technical skills in a way that seeks to address the problem in the most systematic manner possible (Dhillon 2011). The systems approach is very comprehensive in managing safety and achieving a low level of risk within the aviation industry. Operational inefficiencies and other constraints are usually very intricate in a manner. However, with a clear operational framework and a review of all the relevant issues, it is much easier to deal with the problem. The systems safety approach will however require a thorough understanding of all the practical details for possible implementation. It is therefore much of a preserve for the strategic level of management in which critical decisions are made. Risk management At the core of this program is the concept of risk management. Commercial aviation is a very central industry that is under much regulation from the federal government through various agencies. Considering that risks are part of any undertaking and should never remain an impediment toward accomplishing objectives, it is important therefore to look into the means and ways of addressing risk measures and ensuring that objectives are achieved despite the risks. Risk management is therefore the technique of dealing with all the potential hazards and exposures to risks in the process of accomplishing objectives and implementing ideas. If possible, risk should be managed in a manner that does not compromise the accomplishment of objectives. If not, the disturbance should always be minimal. The purpose is to prevent situations that can cause damage or injury. It also includes measures to reduce the occurrences of the events that cause these damages and injuries. Risk management is a process that begins with a careful identification of all the risks that face particular situations. This involves the identification of all the hazards that cause the risks including the exposures and the probabilities of the particular risks. After the identification process is done, it is important to methodically assess the magnitude of each risk in a manner that can enable and facilitate prioritization in the process of addressing them. It is then important for the risk managers to make the appropriate decisions on the different modalities to be applied in addressing the risks highlighted. Risk management measures will normally include strategies aimed at avoiding the risks and those geared toward reducing the risk exposures. Experts who are well versed in the field should therefore formulate control measures. Such factors will include qualifications of the personnel, training, aircraft maintenance, ground support facilities and other measures as may occasionally arise. It is important to periodically review and monitor the operations taking account of the various risk measures in place. Corrective actions are then taken in necessary situations. The aviation safety process involves the identification of the various hazards that are always a challenge in the sector. Mishaps normally occur out of the failure to correctly identify these hazards. Most important should be the measures aimed at detecting and correcting hazards. Every employee should therefore be encouraged to be very proactive in the process of preventing the occurrence of mishaps through the identification of any potential causes and taking the necessary mitigating actions. Human factors If human errors were eliminated, a large part of the process would thus be solved. This is because the human process touches on entirely all the areas of the operation process and it is therefore almost inevitable that certain human errors can fail to exist. The problem is further complicated by the intricate and complex nature of the human character and the inability of the human race to fully understand itself. However, it is important to provide appropriate training and education to individuals who are entrusted with positions where risk management is to be achieved. Ground operations These operations include all the activities that relate to the ground support of the aircraft and in accomplishing the mission. These activities come as either directly or indirectly. Such activities should always be accorded much seriousness as possible. The history of the aviation industry is awash with instances where haphazard ground activities have caused very bad mishaps some of which have been catastrophic. Such activities are therefore critical in the success of flights and all the players should always be abreast with all the requirements expected of them. There should be total adherence to all the relevant agencies’ requirements and all the ground personnel should be appropriately qualified. Reactive measures Mishap investigation The major purpose of investigating mishaps is to provide the relevant information that can act as a guide in preventing future mishaps. Such investigations should be geared to determine the causal factors, and seeking the corrective measures at the very instance of occurrence or in the long run. Professional investigators who have the relevant experience to reveal the necessary information should undertake the whole process. The data obtained from the investigations should always be used in the process of trend analysis and as a major source of institutional memory. Hazard correction It has been determined that most mishaps in the aviation industry are caused by negligence or failure to observe the established risk mitigation efforts in place. The process of learning from experience should be highly encouraged. In addition, the mishap correction measures should be totally addressed and all the relevant stakeholders should be acquainted with all the information. The correction process should be clear and exhaustive so that repetition is highly avoided. Each individual in the organization is entitled to have all access to the prevention measures as might be deemed relevant. As such, it boils down to proper horizontal and vertical communication in the organization. Monitoring trends The identification and analysis of the existing sequence of events is very central in the management of safety issues in the organization. Trends will normally occur when singular events demonstrate a manner that shows some propensity or direction. In such a case, the detection of future happenings is always possible. High frequencies of occurrences will normally cause very clear trends. Trend monitoring should therefore be a central factor in the whole process so that future mishaps are well taken into account and addressed. Training Training is actually one of the most important aspects in ensuring safety and maintaining a successful aviation process. The conventional training provided prior to the engagement of aviation personnel is never enough. There should be periodic assessment of their knowledge in risk management issues and recurrent education on the latest emerging issues relating to safety measures in the industry. Specialists and other relevant people in the industry should conduct this education. The various trend analyses and review programs will reveal very relevant areas where training and retraining is necessary. However, the most basic and important training lies in making all the employees aware of their respective roles in the organization with respect to safety measures. This is out of the fact that most accidents are normally out of negligence or failure address particular issues. Quality assurance It is important to institute an internal quality assurance program that will monitor all the safety programs in the organization and ensure that all the recommendations are actually practicated and addressed effectively. The audit procedures should be very independent and supported by the organization. Management support The aviation management comes under much expectation in this program. The management is responsible for strategic decision-making, resource allocation and other core responsibilities within the organization. The management is therefore expected to accord the whole program the highest possible support can. This can be done through appropriate monitoring activities and support activities that encourage other players in the program. A common objective will ensure a quick realization of all the safety objectives in the organization. References Dekker, S. (2007). Just culture: Balancing safety and accountability. Aldershot, England: Ashgate. Dhillon, B. S. (2011). Transportation systems reliability and safety. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press. Green, K. B. (2002). The aviation industry. Philadelphia: Hanley & Belfus. Sweet, K. M. (2009). Aviation and airport security: terrorism and safety concerns (2nd Ed.). Boca Raton: CRC Press. Read More