Fatigue management methodology in aircraft maintenance as a way of reducing errors related to the human factor

Abstract

Maintenance staff fatigue is one of the key factors contributing to the occurrence of errors in the maintenance. The problem of maintenance staff fatigue is a serious challenge for aircraft maintenance organizations, and its solution is directly related to the impact on flight safety. The authors consider the issues of the fatigue effect on the maintenance staff performance and related consequences. The article provides the results of the maintenance staff fatigue research, obtained through a survey of one of the organizations` employees. According to the survey, errors are the most likely outcome of work in a state of fatigue in aircraft maintenance. The obtained results made it necessary to develop a methodology for managing maintenance staff fatigue in aircraft maintenance. The methodology is based on a questionnaire, where the respondents are asked to answer questions regarding their state of fatigue, and fatigue assessment criteria. The assessment results make it possible to develop the necessary corrective and preventive measures, including the privilege limitation and suspension to perform maintenance tasks.