USA Today reports that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced new anti-fatigue rules for air traffic controllers. Since January, six incidents involving air traffic controllers that were asleep or unresponsive while on the job have occurred. However, none of the incidents have resulted in a plane crash.
Under the new rules, air traffic controllers will be granted at least nine hours off between shifts instead of eight hours, the current minimum. They will also not be allowed to switch shifts with another controller unless they have had at least nine hours between shifts. Additionally, FAA managers at facilities supervising air traffic will work more shifts during the early morning and late night to monitor employees during times they are prone to be tired and fall asleep.
These changes are among several ideas recommended earlier this year by the FAA and the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA), the union for air traffic controllers. These changes will address the typical weekly schedule for an air traffic controller in which they compound five shifts into less than four days. For example, during the last day of the week, an air traffic controller may work from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., leave for eight hours, and then come back to work an overnight shift at 10 p.m. Research conducted by the NATCA and the FAA discovered that air traffic controllers have increased alertness when they have more time off before their final overnight shift. However, research also found that the improvement would be most significant if air traffic controllers working overnight were permitted to nap during what are now scheduled breaks, allowing them to remain fully alert during their entire shift. According to the FAA and the NATCA, air traffic controllers are accountable for using their time off to get the sleep they need.
At Panish Shea & Boyle LLP, our Los Angeles airplane accident lawyers have dedicated their practice to assisting families who have lost a loved one in a plane crash that was the result of negligence. From pilots to plane mechanics to air traffic controllers; all have a legal responsibility to ensure the safety of passengers aboard an aircraft. Call 1-877-800-1700 to learn how our attorneys can help you today.
