Employee Training Assessment

Transcription

1 Fatigue Management for the Australian Aviation Industry Employee Training Assessment May 2012

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3 Employee Training Assessment Contents Contents... 3 Introduction... 4 How to use this assessment unit... 5 Assessment approach... 5 Fundamental Knowledge Questions... 7 Employee Logbook Instructions Acceptable Responses to Fundamental Knowledge Questions Logbook Checklist Competency Assessment Results

4 Fatigue Management for the Australian Aviation Industry Introduction The purpose of this assessment is to evaluate individual competence in each of the topics covered in Fatigue Management Strategies for Aviation Workers: A Training & Development Workbook. Each chapter in the workbook begins with a set of learning outcomes that detail the knowledge and skills to be learned by the end of each chapter. Students should have completed each exercise and knowledge check in the workbook before beginning this assessment. The assessment process uses two approaches to evaluate employee competency in fatigue management. First, employees are asked direct questions intended to assess knowledge obtained from the workbook. Employees are asked to maintain a logbook to demonstrate competence in applying the concepts of fatigue risk management to their specific work, social, and family situations. Those responsible for training may find elements of this assessment tool helpful for the training of individuals in meeting their obligations and understanding how operators meet theirs within a FTL regime. Other trainers may find questions useful for instructional purposes for those operators who manage fatigue under a FRMS. This booklet consists of five main elements: Fundamental Knowledge Questions Employee Logbook Instructions Acceptable Responses to Fundamental Knowledge Questions Logbook Checklist Competency Assessment Results The first two elements form the assessment tasks, and should be completed by employees. The Acceptable Responses and the Logbook Checklist are intended primarily for a designated assessor to determine whether employees have provided appropriate answers and information. However, it may be useful to provide this material to employees during the assessment. This will ensure employees know the types of answers/information they are expected to provide for each question. If the answers to the fundamental knowledge questions are provided to employees, the assessor should conduct a verbal assessment, asking questions at random. The form provided in the Competency Assessment Results element serves as a certificate of competence. The feedback provided on this form should state whether the individual has demonstrated competence in fatigue risk management, and highlight any areas that warrant further attention. The assessor may be a safety manager within the organisation who has achieved competence in fatigue risk management principles. Alternatively, assessors can be assigned from external sources (such as universities or consultancies). External assessors might be utilised for a variety of reasons. For example, there may be a lack of relevant expertise among internal staff, the current company workload effectively excludes the option of using internal assessors, or it might be judged that external providers will be more objective when examining employee responses. 4

5 Employee Training Assessment For less complex operators trainers may be company personnel who have experience in training delivery (instructor rating or Certificate IV, etc.) and who are able to develop and deliver applicable training modules, How to use this assessment unit The first step is to check that all exercises have been completed in the booklet: Fatigue Management Strategies for Aviation Workers: A Training & Development Workbook. The answers to these questions can be used to determine how well the topic information has been understood and how enthusiastically each employee has engaged with the workbook activities. The second step is for employees to complete the two assessment elements explained within this booklet. These two parts are: Fundamental Knowledge Questions Employee Logbook The fundamental knowledge questions can be answered in the space provided in this booklet. The employee logbook should be completed in a separate notebook on a day-to-day basis, typically for at least one month. The Employee Logbook Instructions element in this booklet outlines a number of issues that should be demonstrated and/or considered within the actual work environment. Employees should cover each of these issues in their logbooks. If the organisation already practises well-developed fatigue risk management principles, and the employee already understands and uses these principles, the logbook can be completed retrospectively. That is, employees can detail how they have previously approached the required elements in their specific work environment. Cautions for the assessments use Operators should consider that questions asked will satisfactorily measure a person s knowledge of those elements of fatigue applicable to the operator. Operators also need to continue to measure an employees understanding of the operators fatigue risk as that risk evolves. Training modules should be tied to a continuous improvement program. Assessment approach The knowledge questions and the logbook form the majority of the assessment criteria. To complete the course, employees should have a one-on-one interview with a designated assessor. The assessor normally will commence by asking questions randomly from the fundamental knowledge questions to test level of understanding. The assessor also will ask questions based on the logbook, perhaps asking the employee to describe how several standard components of fatigue risk management were applied to his or her specific work situation. 5

6 Fatigue Management for the Australian Aviation Industry Following the interview, the assessor completes the Competency Assessment form and provides feedback to the employee based on the assessment. 6

7 Employee Training Assessment Fundamental Knowledge Questions Answer all 40 questions. Thirty-five questions must be answered adequately in order to pass the assessment. 1. List three examples of work-related factors that affect fatigue. 2. A common approach to categorising fatigue symptoms includes physical, mental (or cognitive) and emotional signs. List three examples of fatigue signs and symptoms for each category. Physical Sympotoms Mental Symptoms Emotional Symptoms 3. What is the major shortcoming of simply relying on observations of symptoms to manage fatigue? 4. List four advantages of implementing fatigue risk management strategies in the workplace. 5. A circadian rhythm refers to which of the following? A. The regular beating of a sleeping person s heart rate B. A physiological cycle occurring across a 24-hour period of time C. Rhythmic brain wave patterns while sleeping D. Blood pressure variation during sleep 7

8 Fatigue Management for the Australian Aviation Industry 6. Which group below requires 9 hours of sleep per night for good health and alertness? A. Newborns B. Toddlers and pre-schoolers C. School-aged children and teens D. Adults and mature adults 7. How many stages of sleep are there? A. 3 B. 4 C. 5 D People need less sleep as they grow older. A. True B. False 9. After waking from a nap, why is it important to wait up to 20 minutes before you undertake any safety-critical tasks, including driving? 10. To recover from fatigue, a one-hour nap has the same restorative value as an eight-hour sleep. A. True B. False 11. A 30-minute nap followed by at least 15 to 20 minutes to wake up generally improves a person s alertness for commuting home from work. A. True B. False 12. What is the shortest napping period that delivers measurable improvements to your alertness? 8

9 Employee Training Assessment 13. Food digestion becomes slower at night because the body is not programmed to process food at this time. Name three ways this can adversely affect you. 14. Drinks that contain caffeine, such as coffee, tea, cola, and energy drinks may help to increase your alertness levels. However, if you consume drinks like these frequently throughout the day, caffeine will not be as effective at improving your alertness. Explain why. 15. Name at least four proven and suggested health risks of consuming excessive amounts of caffeine. 16. Which of the following are possible symptoms of sleep deprivation? A. Memory problems and depression B. A weakened immune system C. Increased pain perception D. All of the above 17. Name two strategies that help reduce fatigue levels. 18. What is post-alcohol impairment? A. Dehydration due to too much alcohol the night before B. The reduction in performance after BAL returns to zero C. A hangover that is so bad that one cannot work safely D. The time it takes for BAL to return to zero 9

10 Fatigue Management for the Australian Aviation Industry 19. Name one shiftwork-related health issue that is experienced only by women. 20. List two factors that may disrupt your sleep without waking you up. 21. How does a pre-bed routine help you get to sleep? 22. When is the most effective time of day for recovery sleep? 23. What is the glycaemic index (GI)? 24. Name three types of foods you should eat to reduce fatigue and maximise alertness. 25. What is the least amount of water you should drink each day to avoid dehydration? 26. If you do not drink enough water, you may become dehydrated. How does dehydration affect alertness levels? 10

11 Employee Training Assessment 27. List two signs that you need to drink more water. 28. Describe three ways your sleep is affected by consuming more than four standard alcoholic drinks before bed. 29. List two dangers of taking sleeping pills over extended periods. 30. List three ways you can let your family and friends know your work schedule and when you are free. 31. Having a healthy social and family life is important for physical and mental wellbeing. Explain two things you can do to help balance your working hours and your family and social life. 32. The human biological clock has how many daily periods of sleepiness? A. 1 B. 2 C. 3 D Fatigue can cause performance impairment in drivers similar to the effects of alcohol. A. True B. False 34. What are three common health problems experienced by shift workers? 11

12 Fatigue Management for the Australian Aviation Industry 35. List five strategies that can help promote daytime sleep. 36. Sleep apnoea is Australia's most common sleep disorder. A. True B. False 37. List five potential advantages of physical exercise. 38. List three strategies that can ease the effects of jet lag. 39. Sleep disorders and chronic sleep loss can put you at risk for: A. Haemophilia, fibromyalgia, and conjunctivitis B. Dental problems, dementia, and lupus C. Emphysema, lung cancer, and Crohn's disease D. Heart disease, heart attack, and heart failure 40. High-risk times for fatigue include: A. Working midnight to dawn B. When employees are new to the job or workplace C. Early starts before 6 a.m. D. Shifts longer than 8 hours E. All of the above 12

13 Employee Training Assessment Employee Logbook Instructions After completing the Fatigue Management Strategies for Aviation Workers: A Training & Development Workbook component, employees should keep a logbook or diary for one month detailing how they have applied the strategies outlined in the workbook to their specific work situation. If an organisation is already active in managing fatigue, and employees regularly apply good fatigue risk-management practices, they do not need to complete a day-by-day, onemonth diary. Instead, their logbook may describe specific instances when they have applied the strategies outlined below. The logbook should: 1. Detail specific instances of action (at least two examples) that employees have taken in the workplace to reduce potential causes of fatigue in themselves, such as: developing interest in the job / task or motivation for the job / task; opportunities to control the type or work or task, or when and where; physical activity (walking and stretching); conversation with work colleagues to improve alertness; eating stimulating foods or drinks, low GI or high-protein foods; strategic use of caffeine; and improving the environment (e.g., increasing light). 2. Detail specific instances of action taken in the workplace to reduce potential causes of fatigue in work colleagues (at least one example). This may include some of the examples provided above, or direct interaction and intervention with a workmate or supervisor. 3. Demonstrate that employees know where to find and have consulted relevant documentation available within the organisation (e.g., FRMS policy and procedures, safety management system policy, occupational health and safety policy, employment conditions, and relevant state or federal legislation). 4. Demonstrate that employees apply fatigue risk management strategies in accordance with company policy, such as raising and discussing roster / schedule / route concerns with appropriate colleagues or supervisors. (Note: Workplace examples of schedules, routes, and job tasking could be provided to employees to help them suggest two improvements that might reduce fatigue. This may be done as an activity in groups of two or three during the face-to-face training workshop.) 5. Detail specific examples of how the employee s lifestyle has been modified to promote effective long-term management of fatigue in the workplace (at least three examples). Examples might include: assessing for and managing sleep disorders using caffeine strategically reducing travelling time or changing one s mode of travel to work (e.g., car pooling) modifying the home sleeping environment 13

14 Fatigue Management for the Australian Aviation Industry communicating fatigue-related needs and concerns with others, particularly family and supervisors improving diet and exercise reducing pharmaceutical drug intake 6. Discuss personal sleeping habits and identify potential weaknesses or issues that can be worked on (at least two examples). For example: blocking out light in the bedroom; reducing noise inside the house; exercising each day, but not too close to sleep time; controlling or moderating ambient room temperature; relaxing or winding down before bedtime; and avoiding caffeine and alcohol before bedtime. 14

15 Employee Training Assessment Acceptable Responses to Fundamental Knowledge Questions This section is primarily intended for use by assessors. It is useful to provide these answers to employees before they complete the assessment so that they are aware of the types of answers that are expected of them for each question. The response examples here are reasonable, but may not be exhaustive and may require updating from time to time. If the answers are provided to employees, the assessor should conduct a verbal assessment with employees, asking questions at random from the fundamental knowledge questions. The following content should be covered in employees responses to the fundamental knowledge questions: 1. List three examples of work-related factors that affect fatigue. High number of hours of work; high number of consecutive shifts; not being provided with or not taking breaks; working significant hours during the night or early morning; monotonous, boring tasks; long shifts; high physical or mental job demands. 2. A common approach to categorising fatigue symptoms includes physical, mental (or cognitive) and emotional signs. List three examples of fatigue signs and symptoms for each category. Physical symptoms include involuntarily nodding off; waves of sleepiness; poor hand-eye coordination; yawning; sore eyes. Mental symptoms include trouble focussing on tasks; making errors; having lapses in attention; being unable to recall the last five minutes; and problems communicating effectively. Emotional symptoms include lack of energy; irritability; and moodiness. 3. What is the major shortcoming of simply relying on observations of symptoms to manage fatigue? Although effective at low to moderate levels of fatigue, high levels of fatigue cause judgment to be impaired which can result in no action or the wrong action being taken. 4. List four advantages of implementing fatigue risk management strategies in the workplace. Higher alertness; improved safety; improved communication; more effective work capability. 5. A circadian rhythm refers to which of the following? B. A physiological cycle occurring across a 24-hour period of time 15

16 Fatigue Management for the Australian Aviation Industry The word "circadian" is a 20th-century creation, coined in 1959 from the Latin "circa" (about) and "diem" (a day). Circadian refers to events occurring in the span of a full (24-hour) day. Circadian rhythmicity is a fundamental property possessed by all organisms. These rhythms are driven by an internal time-keeping system: a biological clock. 6. Which group below requires 9 hours of sleep per night for good health and alertness? C. School-aged children and teens Sleep need varies from person to person, and change throughout the lifecycle. Most adults need 7-8 hours of sleep each night to ensure good health and alertness. In comparison, newborns sleep between 16 and 18 hours a day. Children in preschool sleep between 10 and 12 hours a day. Health authorities recommend that school-aged children and teens get at least 9 hours of sleep a night. 7. How many stages of sleep are there? C. 5 Sleep varies through the night; that is, it cycles through different stages identifiable by distinctive brain wave patterns. The various sleep stages follow each other in a continuous cycle that lasts between 90 and 120 minutes. Each cycle is composed of five sleep stages. Stage 1 is where we fall asleep. Stage 2 is a light sleep stage, when you are easily awakened. Stages 3 and 4 are deep sleep stages. These stages are considered to be those where the body regenerates physically. The fifth and final stage is known as REM sleep, for rapid eye movement. 8. People need less sleep as they grow older. B. False Even though sleep need varies throughout the lifecycle, adults (even older adults) still require an average of 7-8 hours of sleep per night to maintain health and to be at their best in terms of alertness and performance the following day. As we get older, we don't need less sleep, but we often get less sleep. That's because our ability to sleep for long periods of time and to get into the deep restful stages of sleep decreases with age. Older people have more fragile sleep and are more easily disturbed by light, noise, and medical conditions (that often generate pain). 9. After waking from a nap, why is it important to wait up to 20 minutes before you undertake any safety-critical tasks, including driving? To ensure sleep inertia has passed; that is, to allow time to become fully awake and alert. 10. To recover from fatigue, a one-hour nap has the same restorative value as an eight-hour sleep. B. False 16

17 Employee Training Assessment Nothing is as restorative as sleep itself. 11. A 30-minute nap followed by at least 15 to 20 minutes to wake up generally improves a person s alertness for commuting home from work. A. True In general this appears to be true. Some people, however, find it difficult to nap at certain times of the day; while others find that they feel worse after a short nap in terms of fatigue than they felt before it. The reality is that few people are prepared to spend minutes napping and recovering in order to get home. Further, finding a place to nap undisturbed can also be challenging in or near most workplaces. 12. What is the shortest napping period that delivers measurable improvements to your alertness? Ten minutes. If sleep deprivation is severe, it is recommended that a nap be as long as practicable. 13. Food digestion becomes slower at night because the body is not programmed to process food at this time. Name three ways this can adversely affect you. Indigestion; feeling bloated; build-up of stomach acid; disruption of sleep; constipation; weight gain or loss; peptic ulcers. 14. Drinks that contain caffeine, such as coffee, tea, cola, and energy drinks may help to increase your alertness levels. However, if you consume drinks like these frequently throughout the day, caffeine will not be as effective at improving your alertness. Explain why. Tolerance to caffeine develops with frequent use, meaning that the same amount of caffeine is no longer as effective as an alertness management tool. 15. Name at least four proven and suggested health risks of consuming excessive amounts of caffeine. Proven risks include increased likelihood of osteoporosis (abnormal loss of bony tissue resulting in fragile porous bones) and anaemia (lack of red blood cells and haemoglobin). Caffeine is also linked to insomnia. There have been suggestions that high levels of caffeine consumption can impair memory and is linked to increased risk of miscarriage. 16. Which of the following are possible symptoms of sleep deprivation? A. All of the above The consequences of too little sleep can include memory problems, depression, a weakening of the immune system which increases the chance of illness and disease, and an increased sensitivity to stimuli such as noise and pain. 17

18 Fatigue Management for the Australian Aviation Industry Name two strategies that help reduce fatigue levels. Optimise sleep periods; use the sleep opportunities provided in the roster; promote a good sleeping environment (plus additional strategies outlined in the workbook, e.g., strategic use of food and drinks, naps, etc.). 18. What is post-alcohol impairment? A. The reduction in performance after BAL returns to zero The reduction in performance due to alcohol after BAL returns to zero is known as postalcohol impairment. The persistent effects of alcohol can result in marked impairment of performance for reasons including dehydration, hypoglycaemia, gastrointestinal upset and disturbances in the vestibular system. Recent studies have indicated that pilot performance can be measurably impaired for at least 8 to 14 hours after last alcohol ingestion. These performance deficits are apparent across a range of psychomotor and mental abilities, and include slowed reaction time, lowered vigilance, difficulties processing radio communications, disruptions to the formation of new memories, and impaired judgement in activities such as determining angle of bank and rate of turn. 19. Name one shiftwork-related health issue that is experienced only by women. Irregular menstrual cycle, therefore may take longer to become pregnant; increased risks of miscarriage, slower foetal growth rate, and pre-term birth. 20. List two factors that may disrupt your sleep without waking you up. Outside noise; bright light; hot bedroom temperature; consuming alcohol before sleeping. 21. How does a pre-bed routine help you get to sleep? It programs your body and mind to prepare for sleep. It helps your body wind down towards sleep as you make your way to bed. This should reduce the time it takes for you to fall asleep. 22. When is the most effective time of day for recovery sleep? At night (between midnight and dawn.) 23. What is the glycaemic index (GI)? The way blood sugar levels react to different foods is known as the glycaemic index (GI) of foods. High GI foods make your blood sugar levels rise and fall quickly, whereas low GI foods make your blood sugar level change more slowly. High GI foods are ideal when you have been doing physical work or exercise and need energy quickly to recover. Low GI foods are ideal to keep an already stable blood sugar level from becoming too high or low. 24. Name three types of foods you should eat to reduce fatigue and maximise alertness. Low fat, high protein; fruits and vegetables; whole-grain breads and cereals.

19 Employee Training Assessment 25. What is the least amount of water you should drink each day to avoid dehydration? Two litres (although the scientific evidence for this guidance remains obscure). 26. If you do not drink enough water, you may become dehydrated. How does dehydration affect alertness levels? It makes you feel lethargic and sluggish, which is likely to increase the feelings of fatigue. 27. List two signs that you need to drink more water. Feeling thirsty or dehydrated; feeling light-headed; headache; urine coloured dark yellow or orange as opposed to pale yellow. 28. Describe three ways your sleep is affected by consuming more than four standard alcoholic drinks before bed. Alcohol significantly reduces the quality of sleep; sleep is lighter, fragmented, and you need to get up to go to the toilet more often. 29. List two dangers of taking sleeping pills over extended periods. The body develops a tolerance and will need more of the drug to get the same effect; addiction; impaired performance the following day. 30. List three ways you can let your family and friends know your work schedule and when you are free. Talk to them about your schedule; write it in a household diary/calendar; stick your schedule on the fridge; plan activities with them as far ahead as possible; tell/remind them what you are doing day to day. 31. Having a healthy social and family life is important for physical and mental wellbeing. Explain two things you can do to help balance your working hours and your family and social life. Talk to friends and family about your work hours and the effect this has on you to help them gain a better understanding and to enable them to be supportive; let your family and friends know when you are sleeping, busy, or free; give a copy of your schedule to your family and friends; arrange events yourself so that you do not feel socially isolated. 32. The human biological clock has how many daily periods of sleepiness? B. 2 The circadian cycle has two periods of sleepiness. These are known as the circadian trough and the circadian dip. The circadian trough occurs typically between 0200 and 0500 hours (or dawn). During the circadian trough the body s temperature is at its lowest level and mental performance, especially alertness, is at its poorest. The circadian dip is a lesser circadian lull that typically occurs between 1300 and 1600 hours (the post-lunch dip). 19

20 Fatigue Management for the Australian Aviation Industry 33. Fatigue can cause performance impairment in drivers similar to the effects of alcohol. A. True Drowsiness can slow reaction time while driving as much as being intoxicated. The performance of a person who wakes at 7 a.m. and stays awake for 17 hours until midnight is, by that stage, likely to be as impaired by fatigue as someone with a blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.05% - the legal driving limit in Australia. A person who wakes at 7 a.m. and then stays awake for 23 hours until 6 a.m. the following day will have their general performance impaired to a similar degree as someone with a BAC of 0.10% - twice the legal limit for fully licenced drivers in Australia. Fatigue has been implicated in about a third of fatal road accident sin Australia. The problem of fatigue in drivers appears to be greatest among people under 25 years. 34. What are three common health problems experienced by shift workers? Sleeping problems; fatigue; stomach and digestive complaints; stress; irritability; weight gain or loss; cardiovascular disease 35. List five strategies that can help promote daytime sleep. Sleeping in a dark, cool, and quiet room; talking with your family or household about your sleep requirements; establishing a good sleep environment; wearing earplugs; turning off the phone; putting a sign on your door to let people know you are sleeping; using foil or heavy curtains to block out the sunlight; establishing a pre-bed routine; avoiding caffeine up to four hours before bedtime; minimising alcohol consumption for at least four hours prior to sleep; using white noise to mask external noises; using an answering machine; telling your neighbours when you are sleeping so they don t mow the lawn or perform other noisy tasks; getting your partner to take preschool children out for a few hours so you can sleep in a quiet house; having a bath to relax before bed; learning relaxation techniques; learning to meditate; trying not to get anxious if you cannot get to sleep quickly - do something constructive and relaxing for a period (perhaps 15 or 30 minutes) and then try again 36. Sleep apnoea is Australia's most common sleep disorder. B. False Insomnia is the most common sleep disorder in Australia. It is thought to affect at least a third of adults at some point in life. Insomnia is defined as the complaint - or the perception - of inadequate or poor-quality sleep because of one or more of the following: difficulty falling asleep; waking up during the night with difficulty returning to sleep; waking up too early in the morning; or having sleep that is unrefreshing. Insomnia is not defined by the number of hours of sleep a person gets or how long it takes to fall asleep. Insomnia is likely to cause problems during the day, such as tiredness, lack of energy, difficulty concentrating, and irritability. 20

21 Employee Training Assessment 37. List five potential advantages of physical exercise. Improved sleep; decreased fatigue; increased energy levels; reduced muscle tension; reduced stress; improved muscular tone and strength; reduction in body fat; improved bone density; increased stamina; improved circulation with better digestion and body functioning; greater flexibility. 38. List three strategies that can ease the effects of jet lag. Be well rested before the flight; drink lots of water; set up a healthy sleeping environment; maintain physical fitness; immediately shift meal and sleep times to match new time zone. 39. Sleep disorders and chronic sleep loss can put you at risk for: D. Heart disease, heart attack, and heart failure Sleep deprivation can lead to serious health problems. Sleep disorders and chronic sleep loss can put you at risk for heart disease, heart attack, heart failure, irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia), high blood pressure, stroke and diabetes. A study published in 2011 found that there is a 48 per cent increase in the risk of a fatal heart attack in people who sleep less than six hours per night. The risk of stroke rises 15 per cent in people with similar levels of sleep. 40. High-risk times for fatigue include: E. All of the above Working midnight to dawn, when employees are new to the job or workplace, early starts before 6 a.m. and shifts longer than 8 hours are just some of the particular times of the day and work patterns associated with increased risk of fatigue-related error. Another high risk factor is when work breaks have not been taken for a number of hours. It is important to understand these risks when making decisions about hours of work, hours of overtime, contingency planning, and emergency response. 21