Panel for cut in hours, yoga to de-stress ATCs
A report prepared by a three-member Airports Authority of India committee has recommended that the working hours of air traffic controllers be reduced and a “clear (weekly) off” introduced to mitigate stress and fatigue among the country’s air traffic controllers as the current work pattern results in fatigue.
The committee’s members, belonging to the AAI’s directorate of air traffic management, have recommended the introduction of stress-management techniques such as yoga and meditation, as well as hiring of lifestyle consultants to help the overworked air traffic controllers “control restlessness, anxiety, muscular tension, inability to concentrate, insomnia and other symptoms of stress”.
Referring to the current roster system of Indian ATCs, the report states: “(Indian air traffic) controllers work six hours each day without any clear (weekly) off. Before they can recover from night duty, they have to perform the next duty, that is afternoon shift. This results in fatigue among the controllers.” The report notes that Indian ATCs have a “night-off” in a week, but not a “clear-off”.
The report suggests that the “best option” of a roster system for ATCs is one where the controllers “perform eight hours of duty per day, with a clear off on the fifth day”.
Noting that an eight-hour roster pattern is followed in most places, including the United States, Europe and Australia, the committee recommended an eight-hour per day roster pattern for three days, followed by a “night-off and clear-off” that translates into two days off.
While the Indian ATCs’ current roster system means a workload of 42 hours a week (180 hours a month), a proposed eight-hour roster system will result in a maximum workload of 40 hours a week (144 hours a month). But the report says while this proposed eight-hour roster system “is based on present-day manpower availability”, the committee has recommended another eight-hour roster system with one night-off followed by two clear-offs, a weekly workload of 32 hours (120 hours a month), for the future when the strength of ATCs in this country will be augmented in a few years’ time as a result of the AAI recruitment drive.
Advocating introduction of relaxation techniques like “massage, yoga, meditation and autogenous training” to reduce stress among ATCs, the report suggests participation of all ATCs in adventure sports activities “at least once a year”.
“Lifestyle consultants may be hired to work with controllers to help them become aware of lifestyle practices that promote physical and mental health,” the report states, adding that gymnasiums should be provided by the AAI for ATCs to prevent lower-back pain, along with designing of good chairs for ATC personnel “for a forward and reclining sitting posture, adjustable in height and angle”.
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