The air traffic services provider’s fatigue risk management system (FRMS) did not effectively manage the fatigue risk associated with allocating additional duty periods.
Airservices advised that:
the details in the report regarding fatigue risk management were in relation to the previous Fatigue Risk Management System (FRMS) which has been superseded by an updated system (referred to as FRMS 2) implemented from 30 July 2012. Airservices previously briefed ATSB on the key features of FRMS 2 and further information is included in Attachment 2.
The FRMS 2 has addressed the system limitations mentioned in the report, such as replacement of fatigue risk assessment calculator (FRAC) with an enhanced Fatigue Assessment and Control (FACT) tool and providing roster design criteria in addition to the Fatigue Audit lnterdyne (FAID). The implementation of FRMS 2 has resulted in improved work scheduling capabilities through a new rostering tool to limit cumulative fatigue and further mitigate fatigue-related risk.
In addition:
The FACT decision support tool embedded within the rostering tool assists managers and supervisors with effectively managing changes to work schedules to:
The FRMS 2 is closely aligned with relevant International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) FRMS Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) and embraces three system risk controls of work scheduling, education and assurance.
The ATSB is satisfied that adherence to the policies and procedures detailed in FRMS 2 should reduce the likelihood of controllers being allocated excessive additional duty periods.
