Reducing Occupational Stress in Air Traffic Control

Reducing Occupational Stress in Air occupation ControlRecommendations and ConclusionsIntroductionIn this chapter, the researcher has formulated a target of recommendations based on data found in the finding and epitome chapter in line with the objectives of the dissertation to help in reducing occupational accentuate in air art control.Improving handicraft supply and reliability of the excogitate systemsAccording to Glovanni Coasta (1995), from the past technical means to devote carry, under full radar coverage of air space, is the key cipher which allows a jump in quality, non just in terms of work competence, but likewise in terms of strive directs, by decreasing cognitive, memory and communicative gists along with doubt and unforeseeability of the situations. The to a greater extent technological passage to function under multi-radar assistance permits an excess rise in levels of reliability and safety as well as a reduction in emphasize levels.These modifyments allow for well think of air affair and, subsequently, a more balanced work load among various(prenominal) ATCs. These improvements may also subsequently reduce the surmisal or the earnestness of many unforeseen situations, by allowing for more reliable information and more time for solving problems and making decisions, enchantment eliminating many filter outful and big commerce peaks.Reduction of working times and arrangement of working teams and relaxation method pa determinations in relation to the workloadThe mental strength required maintaining the level best level of tending and vigilance, as well as to securely and expeditiously facing the occupation in terms of cognitive and memory load that evict differ usually in relation to air traffic concentration and connected problems. thence, to guarantee the best level of carrying into action expertness avoiding excessive mental centering and fatigue, particular attention has to be pay to arranging duty finishs.D uty periodsThe length of the duty period should not exceed ten hours (extendable to 12 hours in special circumstances), and should be alter check to the workloadAn interval of no less than 12 hours should be scheduled between the conclusion of one period of duty and the start of the next period of dutyOvertime should be an exception.Breaks during operational dutyNo operational duty shall exceed a period of cardinal hours without in that location being taken, during or at the end of that period, a bang up or total discontinue not less than 30 proceedingsDuring periods of graduate(prenominal) traffic density, the possibility of having more frequent short breaks (ten minutes) should be providedA sufficiently long break for meals should be allowed, providing adequate mobile canteen facilities to assure hot and good quality meals.Arrangement of conjure schedules according to psycho-physiological and social criteriaShift work, in particular night work, is a stress factor for the ATCs collectable to its negative effects on various aspects of their lives. This stress can be eliminated by adopting a rapidly-rotating shift system, changing work shifts either one or two days instead of every week. Moreover, reducing the number of consecutive night shifts as much as possible and having a days rest after the night-shift period. This prevents accrual of sleep deficit and fatigue, and allows a quicker recovery. Delaying the beginning of the morning shift (e.g. at 0700 or later) to allow a normal amount of sleep. P pushring the lookward rotation (e.g. morning-afternoon-night) to the backward one (e.g. afternoon-morning-night) to allow a longer period of rest between shifts). Adjusting the length of shifts according to the physical and mental workload that is day shifts should be shorter, whereas night shifts could be longer if the workload is reduced and there be sleeping facilities.Improving the work environment igniterTaking into consideration that the ATCs task is performed al to the highest degree exclusively in front of a visual display unit, particular attention should be paid to providing saplessing statuss which favor an optimal visual performance.Inside the towers, the opposite is the problem. It is required to avoid excessive illumination levels due to external bright light using both anti-reflection glass and curtains it is also important to deport the possibility of positioning and shielding the visual display units to avoid indirect incandescence due to bright reflections on the screen.NoiseThe main sources of noise are represented by conversations, manual operations (e.g. manipulations of strip supports) and federal agency machines (printers, telephones, photocopiers, etc.). Therefore particular attention has to be paid in order to grasp background noise from exceeding 45-50 dB by installing quieter office machinery, arranging work sectors in order to have better dense protection from each other, and installing mo re insulating headsets and more sensitive microphones. recording studys according to ergonomic criteriaWorkstation designIt is also important to arrange the layout of the workplace in order to avoid glare caused by excessive visible light contrasts between different objects and surfaces it causes discomfort and hampers the comprehension of the information. The displays should be shaded and the surfaces matte, avoiding the use of contemplative materials and bright colors on table-tops and consoles. Data displays containing flight information should sooner be located beside the radar screen.Sitting posturesA prolonged, constrained seance posture causes muscular-skeletal discomfort and pain, particularly at the level of the neck, the shoulders and the lumbar tract. In order to avoid or alleviate such disturbances, it is important to use suitable chairs which allow a comfortable sitting posture enchantment working, as well as efficacious muscle relaxation while on stand-by or resti ng in front of the screen.Individual ways of header with stressFirst of all, people should avoid ineffective ways of coping, which can have an apparent short term positive effect but, in the long run, can cause further problems in health and well-being. We refer in particular to smoking. Increasing smoking (for smokers) is sometimes seen as a way of obtaining a sense of relief and calmness. Of course, apart from short-term relief, there are many adverse effects both on performance efficiency, due to interference with the upper nervous system activities, and on health, due to increased risk of lung tumors and chronic bronchitis from smoking.Secondly, maintaining good physical fitness and emotionally stable psychic conditions are the best aids in competitiveness and overcoming stress. To stay in satisfactory condition, people should pay particular attention to physical exercise, eating habits, sleeping patterns, relaxation techniques and leisure activities.Relaxation techniques are becoming more and more popular among people who feel to be under stress. Massage, yoga, meditation and autogenous training are all useful exercises which help to control restlessness, anxiety, muscular tension, inability to concentrate, insomnia and other symptoms of stress.TrainingThe take aim of training is at teaching occupational and particular coping strategies in order to improve the potentiality of event appraisal and problem solving, so that ATCs learn how to lintel with emotional effects of stressful events and improve the capacity of control. Air traffic controllers should be trained to develop action-oriented and problem-focused coping abilities. positive degree acceptance and reappraisal of stress situations, active coping, seeking to social support for instrumental and emotional reasons must be strengthened, while inclination towards bulwark coping, behavioural and mental disengagement should be restricted.ConclusionAir traffic controllers are the working groups ha ving to deal with very stressful and tough job and are widely recognized as an occupational group which has to have sex with a highly demanding job that involves a complex series of tasks, requiring high levels of knowledge and expertise, combined with high levels of responsibility. According to this research, it can be seen that most of air traffic controllers rate the level of stress as extreme.Moreover, this level of stress is caused due to several factors such as duration of break that the controllers have, the shift hours they usually worked and the workload. Stress can be due to mesh arising from workplace and private life also. According to survey, 63% of air traffic controllers have conflict arising from workplace and private life. 50% of controllers agreed that stress is caused due to their nature of the job and responsibilities.Air traffic controllers must be trained to have high stress resistance and must be able to take best decision in difficult condition and on behal f of the pilot. Training should be given in order to improve the capacity of event appraisal and problem solving, so that ATCs learn how to cope with emotional effects of stressful events and improve the capacity of control. Moreover, it is important to have a stress management system in place in the work place to help controllers deal with suffering a damage of separation incident or accident.ReferenceProfessor Glovanni Coasta (1995). Occupational stress and prevention in air traffic control. Institute of Occupational medicinal drug University of Verona.