GM1 145.A.47(b) Production planning

CAA ORS9 Decision No. 38

CONSIDERATION OF FATIGUE IN THE PLANNING OF MAINTENANCE

(a) Fatigue may be induced by:

(i) the environment and conditions (e.g. noise, humidity, temperature, closed section, working overhead) in which the work is carried out;

(ii) excessive hours of duty and shift working, particularly with multiple shift periods or patterns, additional overtime or night work;

(iii) travel to the maintenance location (e.g. jetlag, duration)

Fatigue is one of the factors that may contribute towards maintenance errors when it is not properly considered as part of planning activities.

(b) Taking into account the threat of fatigue in the planning of maintenance tasks and organising of shifts refers to setting up the maintenance and the shifts in a way that enables the maintenance staff to remain sufficiently free from fatigue so they can perform the planned maintenance safely, including:

— providing rest periods of sufficient time to overcome the effects of the previous shift and to be rested by the start of the following shift;

— avoiding shift patterns that cause a serious disruption of an established sleep/work pattern, such as alternating day/night duties;

— planning recurrent extended rest periods and notifying staff sufficiently in advance.