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PMS 530-1

Personnel, Contractors

Single Engine Airtanker (SEAT)

Aircraft | Contracts | Facilities | Maintenance | Operations | Personnel Contractors | Personnel Government


SYSTEM:  SEAT, Personnel (Contractors)

Sub-System Hazards Pre-Mitigation Mitigation Post-Mitigation

Probability

Severity

Risk Level

Probability

Severity

Risk Level

Human Factors Ground support personnel fatigue and workload

Likely

Critical

Extremely High

Ensure contractor compliance with rest and duty limitations (DOT and contract) for ground support personnel so as not to overextend (company and agencies are both responsible to monitor closely). Utilize additional crew members as necessary. Monitor number of aircraft being loaded and mitigate additional workload per loader.

Unlikely

Critical

Medium

Pilot fatigue

Almost Certain

Critical

Extremely High

SEMGs work with vendor personnel to ensure adequate rest between shifts. Manage missions to be most effective for incident, with proper use of aircraft. Consider phase duty limitations as appropriate.

Unlikely

Moderate

Medium

Pilot - poor decision making: multi-tasking, mission focus, sense of urgency, peer pressure

Almost Certain

Critical

Extremely High

Ensure that these items are addressed in the contract pre-work meeting and re-enforced in the daily air base briefings, post mission briefings or whenever the need is identified. All personnel involved in operations should recognize hazardous situations or behavior. Communicate issues or concerns.  Recognize fatigue, hunger, illness or other issues that may be causing poor decision making and mitigate as needed.

Unlikely

Critical

Medium

Acceptance of high-risk missions and activities as normal

Likely

Catastrophic

Extremely High

Emphasize importance of situational awareness to recognizing risk. Consider providing risk management training for the pilot and crew. Re-address complacency and self-discipline in daily airbase briefings. Review risk management workbook and/or vendor SMS manual on a regular basis.

Possible

Critical

High

Poor CRM with crew rotations; crew rotation may affect aircraft/equipment knowledge in-brief

Likely

Critical

Extremely High

Make effort to ensure that contractor relief personnel arrive at base prior to relief cycle with sufficient overlap time to receive good in-brief from primary personnel.

Possible

Critical

High

Single pilot workload may be considered to be excessive based on demands that he/she be able to operate several cockpit equipment items during mission performance (i.e., multi-tasking overload.)

Almost Certain

Critical

Extremely High

Complete thorough pre-flight planning. Minimize radio traffic. Follow sterile cockpit rules. Utilize aerial supervision if available to reduce cockpit workload. Utilize AFF. Allow time to program frequencies prior to launch. Conduct AARs, sand table and on ground CRM Exercises, incorporating operations personnel.

Possible

Critical

High

Conflicting and/or difficult personalities

Likely

Critical

Extremely High

If individuals cannot professionally resolve differences, managers and supervisors must take immediate action. Brief/debrief, employ CRM, provide and receive honest and objective feedback, maintain positive attitude. Maintain professionalism and mission focus at all times.

Possible

Critical

High

Pilot Training and Experience Lack of fire mission training and lack of proficiency flight time

Likely

Catastrophic

Extremely High

Vendors have instituted training programs such as CRM, risk management, and flight safety with the intent to standardize cockpit procedures. Develop training center for fire environment and make available for vendor use. Other training includes aircraft performance and limitations. Provide opportunities for new and experienced pilots to attend NAFA training.

Possible

Catastrophic

High

High number of target fixation and tactical maneuvering errors

Likely

Catastrophic

Extremely High

Company training plans should address human factors including target fixation, situational awareness, task overload, and performance/tactical planning errors. Plan training simulations prior to and throughout fire season.

Possible

Critical

High

Lack of training in firefighting strategy, tactics, terminology, basic ICS, frequency management, etc.

Likely

Critical

Extremely High

Establish training courses for pilots to meet basic level of firefighting knowledge for all contracts.  Encourage contractors to take online basic wildland firefighting courses. Provide opportunities for attendance at NAFA. When available have a Level I pilot mentor a level II pilot.

Possible

Critical

High

Inadequate flight experience

Possible

Catastrophic

Extremely High

Adhere to existing contract requirements requiring contractors to validate pilots' experience and training. SEMG must be familiar with the level of the pilot and their restrictions. Continue to provide opportunities for SEAT pilots to attend NAFA and other fire-specific aviation training. Develop, implement, and support a pilot mentoring program.

Unlikely

Critical

Medium

Ground Support Training Not all mixers, loaders and fuelers are adequately trained and qualified

Possible

Critical

High

Ensure that contractors provide adequate training to ground personnel on mixing of fire chemicals and fueling of aircraft prior to fire assignment. Provide training documentation to agency aviation managers during pre-work meetings.

Unlikely

Critical

Medium

New Technology Lack of familiarity with technology, inability to utilize and operate equipment

Possible

Critical

High

Ensure all vendor personnel are trained in the function and operation of newer technology, equipment, and systems prior to implementation and utilization.

Unlikely

Critical

Medium

 

Download the Word version (docx) of this information and the Risk Assessment Matrix (pdf) to use with the Risk Assessment Worksheet (docx).

 

 

Last Modified / Reviewed:

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