Critical Incident Stress Management in Air Traffic Control

Following a number of air disasters, several countries have introduced a programme designed to decrease the psychological impact on the air traffic controller, primarily using an approach known as Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM). This approach helps controllers deal with suffering a loss of separation incident or accident.This report first considers the task of the air traffic controller, and then reviews theories and models of stress, relating these to air traffic management and losses of separation. Methods of dealing with such stress and/or trauma are then reviewed, leading to a focus on the 'Mitchell Method' and CISM. The results of a survey of CISM applications worldwide are then reviewed to see the state of practice of CISM in Air Traffic Management.