Pressure

Pressure

According to the FAA AMT Handbook,

Aviation maintenance tasks require individuals to perform in an environment with constant pressure to do things better and faster without making mistakes and letting things fall through the cracks. Unfortunately, these types of job pressures can affect the capabilities of maintenance workers

14-21 THE DIRTY DOZEN Twelve human factors for aircraft maintenance proficiency Lack of Teamwork Fatigue Lack of Resources Pressure Lack of Assertiveness Stress Lack of Awareness Norms Complacency Lack of Knowledge Distraction Lack of Communication MITIGATING THE RISK Ensure that the pressure is not self induced. Ask for extra help if time is an issue. Communicate if you think you will need more time to complete a repair rather than rush through it. Pressure to get things repaired is always present in aviation. Maintainers must not let the pressures of time constraints get in the way with safely finishing a repair. Figure 14-25. Pressure. to get the job done right. [Figure 14-25] Airlines have strict financial guidelines, as well as tight flight schedules, that force mechanics to be under pressure to identify and repair mechanical problems quickly so that the airline industry can keep moving. Most important, aircraft mechanics are responsible for the overall safety of everyone who uses flying as a mode of transportation. Organizations must be aware of the time pressures that are put on aircraft mechanics and help them manage all of the tasks that need to be completed so that all repairs, while done in a timely manner, are completed correctly with safety being the ultimate goal. Sacrificing quality and safety for the sake of time should not be tolerated or accepted. Likewise, AMTs need to recognize on their own when time pressures are clouding their judgments and causing them to make unnecessary mistakes. Self-induced pressures are those occasions where one takes ownership of a situation that was not of their doing. In an effort to combat self-induced pressure, technicians should ask for help if they feel overwhelmed and under a time constraint to get a repair fixed. Another method is to 14-22 THE DIRTY DOZEN Twelve human factors for aircraft maintenance proficiency Lack of Teamwork Fatigue Lack of Resources Pressure Lack of Assertiveness Stress Lack of Awareness Norms Complacency Lack of Knowledge Distraction Lack of Communication MITIGATING THE RISK Provide clear feedback when a risk or danger is perceived. Allow co-workers to give their opinions and always accept corrective criticisms. Never compromise your standards. Lack of assertiveness in failing to alert others when something does not seem right, can result in many fatal accidents. Do not let something that you know is wrong continue by ignoring that it is there. Figure 14-26. Lack of assertiveness. have someone check the repair thoroughly to ensure that all maintenance tasks were completed correctly. Lastly, if given a repair with a specific time limitation that you do not feel is realistic or compromises safety, bring it to the attention of the organization’s management and openly discuss a different course of action.