FATIGUE OCCURRENCE, PERCEPTION, KNOWLEDGE AND THE UTILIZATION OF ITS COPING MECHANISMS BY COMMERCIAL

FATIGUE OCCURRENCE, PERCEPTION, KNOWLEDGE AND THE UTILIZATION OF ITS COPING MECHANISMS BY COMMERCIAL

Abstract

Introduction: Fatigue induced human error is a significant cause of accidents and incidents in the aviation industry with major consequences for public health safety. Fatigue is also the largest identifiable and preventable cause of accidents in air transport operations. This study was carried out to determine the level of fatigue being experienced by aircrew operating in Nigeria as well as their knowledge and utilization of fatigue coping mechanisms.
Materials and methods: The study was a descriptive cross sectional study of aircrew fatigue and coping mechanisms in the Nigerian aviation industry. All consenting subjects were studied. Quantitative data were collected using a pre tested semi structured , self administered questionnaire and were analyzed using Epi info and winpepi statistical soft ware. In-depth interviews were also conducted on ten representatives from both aircrew and regulators of the industry.
Results: A total of 190 respondents participated in the study and were made up of 86 captains, 50 co-pilots, 2 flight engineers and 52 flight attendants. Sixty nine percent of all aircrew were fatigued . A higher proportion of aircrew deployed to long haul duties were fatigued compared to those in short haul . Graded fatigue levels showed that 53.7% of aircrew were mildly fatigued, 26.1% moderately fatigued and 20.2% were severely fatigued. Respondents knowledge of fatigue coping mechanism was fair. Crew work rest/scheduling had the highest knowledge with 85.3% while cockpit naps had the least knowledge with 28.9%.
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Regarding the utilization of these mechanisms, scheduling was the most utilized (78.3%), followed by activity breaks (76.1%). The least utilized method was listening to music (35.1%).
Conclusion: Fatigue levels were relatively high at 69% with a fair utilization rate of fatigue coping mechanisms ranging between 35.1%-78.3% .
Recommendation: There is a need for regulations to establish appropriate flight time limits which will be based on total duty time (commencing when aircrew report for duty) and not based on number of sectors flown . In addition, the NCAA would need to evolve better monitoring methods for both Airline operators and aircrew to ensure they strictly adhere to regulations.

Title Page———i

Certification——–ii

Dedication———iii

Acknowledgement——-iv

Abstract ———vi

Table of Content——–vii

Chapter One

1.0 Introduction ——-1

1.1 Statement of Problem——4

1.2 Purpose of the Study——5

1.3 Significance of Study——8

1.4 Limitation——–9

1.5 Scope of Study——-11

Chapter Two

2.0 Review of Related Literature —-12

2.6 Summary of Literature Review—- 19

Chapter Three

3.0 Research Methodology and Procedure—22

3.1 Population ——–22

3.2 Sample and Sampling Technique—-22

3.3 Validation of the Instrument —-23

3.4 Reliability of the Instrument —–23

3.5 Data Analysis——-23

Chapter Four

4.0 Presentation and Discussion of Result—24

4.1 Analysis and interpretaion of Data—25

4.2 Discussion of Results——38

Chapter Five

5.0. Summary, Conclusion, and Recommendation  –40

5.1 Summary——–40

5.2 Conclusion——–41

5.3 Recommendation——42

References ———45

Appendix 1——–47

Appendix ———50

FATIGUE OCCURRENCE, PERCEPTION, KNOWLEDGE AND THE UTILIZATION OF ITS COPING MECHANISMS BY COMMERCIAL