Managing Fatigue Risk with FRM

Our approach

In many industries, including aviation, rail transport and energy, it is increasingly recognised that hours of work limitations are insufficient to effectively manage fatigue. In aviation, whilst FRM approaches were outlined in ICAO guidance material in 2011 (document 9966, first edition), performance-based management of fatigue did not become a requirement for CAT operators in Europe until ORO.FTL in 2017, and in 2014 in the US (FAR 117).

ICAO defines a fatigue risk management system (FRMS) as a ‘data-driven means of continuously monitoring and managing fatigue-related safety risks, based upon scientific principles, knowledge and operational experience that aims to ensure relevant personnel are performing at adequate levels of alertness’

Even where FRM is not specifically required by regulation, any organisation that is required to manage safety through their management system should also consider fatigue – and collect data to demonstrate that fatigue is being managed effectively to ensure that risk remains low.

Effective fatigue risk management allows potential causes of fatigue to be identified and mitigated against, to proactively manage fatigue. This provides benefits for operational stability, crew and personnel wellbeing, safety management and business performance.

Challenges you may be facing:

• Introduction of performance-based fatigue management requirements by your regulator
• You need reassurance that fatigue risks in your organisation are identified and managed
• You want to integrate the management of fatigue into your broader management system
• You want to have an ‘approved FRMS’ supporting a safety case to enable you to apply to your regulator to work outside regulatory limits
• You require a ‘standard’ to apply across diverse sites and roles, to ensure that fatigue is managed across different locations and situations

How we can help:

Our fatigue risk management experts have over 15 years of experience in implementing fatigue risk management in safety-critical industries all over the world. They have significant experience in building and implementing fatigue risk management systems (FRMS), working with regulators to write the requirements for effective FRM, and assessing submitted fatigue risk management manuals.

Working in close collaboration with your organisation, we will develop an FRMS that is appropriate and proportional to your level of fatigue risk and is informed by scientific data.

We will help you to implement methods for predictive, proactive and reactive data collection, which may include using established bio-mathematical models to predict schedule-related fatigue. We assist with building your system and generating competence and staff engagement with FRM through the development and implementation of key processes, tools and training, including:

• Fatigue policy
• Data collection, e.g. surveys, focus groups, bio-mathematical modelling
• Fatigue hazard identification and risk register
• Fatigue metrics and safety performance indicator (SPI) dashboard tracking fatigue risk exposure
• Fatigue reporting form, process, tools and database
• Training to enable investigators to consistently explore the role of fatigue in incidents
• Training programmes for crew, schedulers, the safety team and senior management
• Safety assurance
• Change management

Fatigue Risk Management Implementation Framework

Our Fatigue Risk Management (FRM) Implementation
Framework is designed to help you on your journey –
whether you are new to fatigue risk management, or
already have an operational system and are looking
to increase effectiveness.

Our Implementation Framework outlines the
recommended organisational steps to take
when implementing FRM, which is reflected by
increased organisational maturity. It is designed
for all safety critical industries, with the approach
tailored to your requirements and specific
operational circumstances.

Download our Framework