Human Factors in Aviation Considers Factors Affecting Performance - Fitness and Health

Sofemaonline.com offers online training including EASA Part 66 Module 9 Human Factors compliant training for third country workshop personnel 

Fitness and Health

Aircraft maintenance certifying staff and technicians often undertake work which is physically demanding as well as being called on to work in multiple environments include cold and heat, wind and rain.

Fitness and health can have a significant effect upon job performance (both physical and cognitive). Day to day fitness can be reduced through illness (physical or mental) or injury.

There are no regulations which directly impact physical or mental fitness, therefore, the ownership for this task, falls onto the obligation of the organisation. We should also understand that each and every worker is also responsible for their own well-being as well as to take care of anyone who is working under their control.

General Health & Daily Health

The responsibility falls upon the individuals to determine whether or not they are well enough to work on a particular day.

Many conditions can impact on the health and fitness of an individual, such as:

▪ Minor physical ailments (such as colds, flu, etc.)
▪ Serious physical illness (such as cancer, heart conditions, etc.)
▪ Mental illness (such as depression, anxiety, etc.) - The problem is we cannot see easily mental illness and sometimes it is disregarded
▪ Small injuries, for example, a sprained wrist
▪ Serious injury for example broken limbs

Latent Conditions

▪ Age-related deterioration including hearing loss, visual defects, obesity, heart problems, etc.

Toxin Driven Health Issues

▪ Effects-driven by toxins and other foreign substances (such as carbon monoxide poisoning, alcohol, illicit drugs, etc.)

Maintaining Fitness and Health

▪ Eating regular meals with a well-balanced diet
▪ Regular exercise
▪ Stop or reduce smoking
▪ Reduced or no alcohol intake

Take Care of Yourself

▪ Sleep well - Getting a solid amount of sleep every night has been linked to higher productivity, increased ability in the gym, and higher levels of mental activity. In short, sleep is important.
▪ Sugar - Is linked to all kinds of negative outcomes. Try to reduce your sugar intake drinking your tea or coffee black.
▪ Exercise - If you exercise for 30 minutes every day, spending the next eight hours or more just sitting at a desk means those 30 minutes of fitness almost don’t count. Ideally, you should get up and walk a few hundred steps at least every hour.
▪ Water - Not drinking enough water can lead to mental and physical fatigue. Research also suggests drinking more water throughout the day can help you lose weight.

SAS & SOL offer training in Human Factors, Safety Management Systems Implementation & Management, Maintenance Error Management and Training for Trainers in a Human Factors and Maintenance Environment. For details please see www.sassofia.com & www.sofemaonline.com or email office@sassofia.com & online@sassofia.com