The Impact of the COVID 19 Pandemic on Aviation Workers & The Aviation System.

Abstract

Worker wellness and mental health is hugely important in safety critical systems such as aviation. Aviation workers need to be fit for duty and aware of all risks that compromise their health and wellbeing. Work has the potential to negatively impact on mental health particularly in the form of stress. The COVID-19 pandemic has put increased stress on aviation workers and the aviation industry. The industry has experienced a decrease in capacity. Many workers are working on reduced salary, furloughed, or have lost their jobs. This has had a detrimental impact on their sense of purpose and financial security. Those who are still working, are working in very different environments with additional stressors. People vary in relation to their ability to cope successfully with stress (including work-related stress). The practice of healthy behaviours strengthens a person’s resistance to stress. The substitution of maladaptive coping with more adaptive coping strategies is an important component of therapeutic interventions for work-related stress. Common adaptive stress coping strategies include exercise, the practice of relaxation techniques and seeking social support and/or social participation. Peer support programmes have been implemented by airlines for pilots. However, they are less commonplace for other aviation workers including maintenance and cabin crew.It is likely that some aviation workers may experience significant challenges during the period of being off work. Social isolation and confinement may lead some people to develop maladaptive coping strategies. If off work, some of the occupational barriers to maladaptive coping are not there (i.e. intoxicant testing by employer). Further, the enablers of adaptive coping (i.e. support from social network, access to peer support and access to support groups within the community) are not there. As such, the current COVID-19 pandemic poses a huge occupational health and safety risk. The Flight Safety Foundation has identified three operational scenarios to be managed during the COVID-19 crisis and beyond. (1)being at work during the COVID-19 outbreak, (2)being off work, and (3)returning to work.