Human Factors

These comprise disciplines that study and design the interaction between people and systems, processes, and work equipment.

These comprise disciplines that study and design the interaction between people and systems, processes, and work equipment.
Within the ATM environment, unlike other industries, human performance and its interaction with the system are of particular relevance, as they are at the core of air traffic management.

More specifically, within operational safety, Human Factors comprise a set of disciplines focused on studying and designing the interaction between humans and equipment, systems, processes, people, and work teams.

ENAIRE, following international standards, is committed to proactive management of Human Factors through the Systemic Analysis and Human Factors Department, part of the Operational Safety Division.

Regulatory Framework

The regulatory framework under which the Department carries out its activities adheres to Regulation (EU) 2017/373, which requires compliance with the specific requirements of Regulation 373/2017 (ATS.OR.300, ATS.OR.310, and ATS.OR.315).

Main Work Areas

The main areas of action are detailed below:

Fatigue and Stress Risk Management System

The system, managed by ENAIRE’s Systemic Analysis and Human Factors Department, operates in parallel and coordination with the Safety Management System and is specifically designed for the management of operational safety risks associated with fatigue and stress in air traffic controllers.
Change analysis and assessment

ENAIRE has gradually developed a human factors analysis methodology adapting international SESAR programme standards (the European next-generation air traffic management system) to the organization’s specific needs and characteristics.
Awareness and dissemination activities

ENAIRE conducts outreach activities at facilities for personnel under both agreements. These sessions explain the investigation processes followed by the Department and provide recommendations for managing fatigue and stress from a systemic perspective.
Contemporary safety management methodologies

One of ENAIRE’s lines of work is the application of modern proactive safety approaches aimed at maximizing opportunities for success by strengthening good practices.

Monitoring normal operations helps understand operational reality and how the theoretical design—reflected in operational manuals, procedures, etc.—is ultimately implemented in complex, dynamic, and changing environments.

This monitoring can be carried out through observational surveys, in which operational experts identify good practices and TEM (Threat and Error Management) profiling. These insights provide essential feedback to the ATM system, enabling the optimization of procedures and their continuous, safe adaptation to operational reality.
TRM (Team Resource Management)

Real integration of human factors requires a specific focus in operational training. The competency frameworks used in aviation and defined internationally by ICAO and EASA include technical and non-technical competencies. The latter are generally included within behavioural training, for which specific pedagogical strategies—known as facilitation—are used.

ENAIRE promoted the creation of a TRM programme based on ICAO principles, integrating it as a core component of the Safety Management System, given its many uses beyond mandatory training.

Fatigue and Stress Risk Management System (FSRMS) and CISM Programme

Fatigue and Stress Risk Management System (FSRMS)

In compliance with regulations, ENAIRE implemented the FSRMS in 2020. Its objective is to prevent, limit, and manage the negative effects of fatigue and stress on air traffic controllers in order to ensure air traffic safety.

The fatigue and stress reporting system is the primary source for collecting information and data, enabling tailored analysis of each unit in ENAIRE’s Air Navigation Network. The system’s core pillars include both organisational and operational components.

The fundamental pillar is the Fatigue and Stress Management Policy agreed between the organisation and the controllers, representing a shared commitment.

Alongside the Policy, the reporting and risk management processes on which the FSRMS is based are defined and integrated into ENAIRE’s Integrated Management System.

The Fatigue and Stress Action Group is a key element of the organisational component. At ENAIRE, it consists of a multidisciplinary team including professionals from human factors, operations, occupational risk prevention, and social partners.

This Group provides a forum for sharing work carried out within Human Factors and gathering suggestions and improvement areas identified by other departments.

Finally, promotional processes support the continuous development of the FSRMS, the improvement of its overall effectiveness, and the achievement of optimal Operational Safety levels. Training and awareness activities are carried out to ensure all stakeholders are familiar with basic aspects of fatigue and stress, as well as with FSRMS functioning.
These include risk management and assessment processes allowing for systemic analysis of risks associated with controller fatigue and stress, continuous monitoring of FSRMS data, and subsequent evaluation and management of related risks.

These processes are complemented by those related to operational safety assurance focused on risk management and assessment in the area of fatigue and stress.

CISM Programme

In compliance with existing regulations, ENAIRE has a CISM (Critical Incident Stress Management) Programme to provide psychological support to operational controllers affected by critical incidents. The CISM Programme forms part of the Safety Risk Management System associated with Fatigue and Stress (FSRMS).

The method used at ENAIRE is based on the standards of the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation (ICISF) and consists of a comprehensive and systematic crisis intervention programme using different intervention methods designed for critical incident crisis management. ICISF standards and methodologies in the CISM domain are scientifically validated, ensuring the reliability of the crisis intervention process and enabling quality control in managing a programme of this nature.

CISM Programme (Critical Incidente Stress Management)

International Presence

ENAIRE is committed to maintaining a strong international presence in the field of Human Factors. This presence is strategic, positioning ENAIRE in the appropriate forums in order to:

Keep knowledge up to date
Anticipate potential regulatory changes
Participate and contribute to European activities related to international risk management, and take part in policy and strategy development of international organizations

ENAIRE participates directly and actively with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency in:

A Working Group established to address the prevention and management of fatigue-related risks in air traffic control following a Europe-wide study completed in 2023.
Collaborative assessment groups conducting formal and informal consultations. ENAIRE is a member of the ATM Collaborative Assessment Group (ATM CAG) and the Human Performance Collaborative Assessment Group (HP CAG).

ENAIRE’s presence regarding human factors within CANSO is structured through its safety management groups:

Chairmanship of the NOM Working Group,
Participation in the Human Performance Management Working Group (HPMWG), contributing to the development and implementation of the CANSO Standard of Excellence on Human Performance,
Human Dimension for Automation Strategy Working Group.

ENAIRE further strengthens its presence in other forums through its participation—co-chairing the group—in the Safety Human Performance Sub Group (SHPSG).

Human Factors

Regulatory Framework

Main Work Areas

Fatigue and Stress Risk Management System

Change analysis and assessment

Awareness and dissemination activities

Contemporary safety management methodologies

TRM (Team Resource Management)

Fatigue and Stress Risk Management System (FSRMS) and CISM Programme

Fatigue and Stress Risk Management System (FSRMS)

CISM Programme

International Presence