Air traffic controller staffing will be boosted and more fatigue management training introduced, following an investigation into an incident in which a Brisbane controller was found asleep on the job. 

The Airservices Australia controller was caught snoozing under a blanket while responsible for managing the Cairns Terminal Control Unit at 5:15am on December 9, 2022.

While there were no incidents as a result, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has warned improvements must be made to work scheduling and fatigue risk management.

ATSB chief commissioner Angus Mitchell said the controller based at the Brisbane Air Traffic Services Centre fell asleep because of a low workload.

“The controller had also been working multiple night shifts with reduced extended rest periods, which likely reduced their ability to obtain restorative sleep,” Mr Mitchell said.

He  said the controller increased their chances of falling asleep “by lying across two chairs, not moving, and not undertaking activities to maintain mental alertness”.

The investigation’s findings, released on Tuesday, reported the controller had worked two series of night shifts in a row without the recommended rest period in between.

Changes to the worker’s shifts were being made on short notice due to rostering issues.

The investigation found roster changes caused by a lack of resources were likely responsible for the controller’s sleep debt.

“As a result, cumulative fatigue was not being effectively managed strategically,” Mr Mitchell said.

There was no traffic in the Cairns airspace at the time of the incident because it was early in the morning.

However, the investigation found the controller’s ability to do their job would be compromised if they were woken up by radio contact with an aircraft.

The controller has a decade of experience working at Airservices Australia, including three years in their current position.

Staffing, fatigue management improvements

Mr Mitchell said the incident and subsequent investigation highlighted the need for improvements to rostering and fatigue management.

Airservices Australia has committed to increasing its overall number of air traffic controllers as a result, including in North Queensland.

The investigation discovered the organisation’s current fatigue assessment did not identify “low workload” as a hazard, with additional fatigue management guidance and training set to be introduced.

“We urge transport operators to investigate fatigue events to identify and remedy deficiencies in work scheduling, fatigue risk management processes and risk controls.”

Airservices Australia will work with the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to trial the new fatigue risk management system.