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HUM 007

Fitness for duty

Fitness for duty

Three things you should be, in body and in mind.

Being fit for work means being physically and mentally rested.

You should be:

  • Medically fit
  • Rested for duty
  • Free from psychoactive substances such as alcohol or drugs

Strategies for medical fitness

Four examples, all part of a healthy lifestyle.

Some personal strategies that could be utilised to keep balanced and fit for duty include living a healthy lifestyle, for example:

  • Healthy diet
  • Sleeping
  • Physical activities
  • Mental activities

Signs of lack of personal fitness

Nine signs that personal fitness is lacking.

Tension headachesFatigue throughoutthe day, notsleeping properlyEating more food,comfort eatingGut problemsKnee, back and otherpain issuesLess attention andfocus, restlessmind, irritabilityand low moodLess ability to dealwith stressAnxiety anddepressionCardiovascularissues
A lack of fitness shows in the mind as well as in the body.

Effects of lack of personal fitness

Nine effects. A red arrow marks what goes up or down.

  • Increased reaction time
  • Reduced attention (lapses)
  • Sacrificing routine tasks
  • Diminished memory
  • Withdrawn mood
  • Micro sleeps
  • Reduced or ineffective communication
  • Reduced motivation
  • Health: weakened immune system

They are the same nine as the effects of fatigue in HUM 004.

Problematic psychoactive substances

One definition, ICAO’s and EASA’s. Either part, or both, makes a use problematic.

Problematic use of psychoactive substances

The use of one or more psychoactive substances by aviation personnel or an individual, in a way that:

ICAO and EASA

constitutes a direct hazard to the user or endangers the lives, health, or welfare of others

  • The user
  • Others
and/or

causes or worsens an occupational, social, mental or physical problem or disorder.

  • Occupational
  • Social
  • Mental
  • Physical

Testing programmes

Four kinds of test, and what failing one can cost.

HairBloodBreathUrine

Failure to pass the test can result in your licence being revoked.

Provisional inability

Three reasons you may be unable to work for a time.

Reasons for provisional inability to work may be that the licence holder is:

  • Under the influence of psychoactive substances.
  • Unfit to perform the duties due to injury, fatigue, sickness, stress, including critical incident stress or other similar causes.
  • Not meeting all competence-related requirements set out in the unit competence scheme.

Provisional inability is temporary. For suspension and revocation, see LAW 011.

Reading material