Brisbane air traffic controller found asleep after grueling night shifts

On December 9, 2022, a Brisbane air traffic controller was discovered asleep at their workstation during an early-morning shift after working seven night shifts in nine days. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) released a report attributing the incident to the employee's extensive night shift schedule and an ineffective fatigue risk management system. The controller was found lying across two chairs with a blanket at 5:15 am, and there were no aircraft in the vicinity at that time. The ATSB investigation highlighted that the controller's ability to obtain restorative sleep was significantly compromised due to multiple consecutive night shifts and insufficient rest periods. This situation increased the likelihood of sleepiness while on duty, raising serious safety concerns. The report also pointed out an overreliance on short-term roster changes, which stemmed from a lack of resources within Airservices Australia. In response to the findings, Airservices Australia has increased its number of air traffic controllers and developed new guidance and training focused on fatigue risk assessment. The organization acknowledged the need for improved management of fatigue and roster resourcing, emphasizing the importance of addressing these safety issues. The ATSB's chief commissioner underscored the ongoing relevance of fatigue as a critical concern in transport safety. He urged transport operators to thoroughly investigate fatigue-related incidents to identify and rectify deficiencies in work scheduling and risk management processes, ensuring the safety of air traffic operations.