DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) has drafted a proposal calling for stricter regulations, ensuring ‘Breath analyzer’ test for all the people who are involved in flight operations. The proposed step has been taken to enhance safety.
Breath analyzer test is a test for estimating blood alcohol content by measuring the amount of alcohol in one’s breath. The draft goes on mentioning that alcohol is a sedative and addicting drug, thus impairing judgment.
According to the proposed norms as put up by DGCA, all those employed as Air Traffic Controllers, Ground Operators or Aircraft Maintenance Engineers will be made to undergo this test. Currently, Only Cabin crew members and Pilots have to compulsorily take this test. Pre-flight test or Post-flight test depends on airline services. Therefore for safety reasons, DGCA Chief Arun Kumar suggested the expansion of ambit of Breath analyzer test.
The draft said to carry out a random test on a daily basis, for at least 10 percent of employees engaged in the aforementioned services.
Other countries such as USA (Federal Aviation Agency) and UK (Civil Aviation Authority) also have similar policies regarding the use of psychoactive substances by their employees engaged in safety-sensitive functions.
PROPOSED NORMS-
Careful analysis of the proposed draft mentions about the different measure of punishment in case one is found guilty of the codes.
First Time- There is a difference in the category of workers for punishment. Licensed personnel will serve three months’ suspension for the first time offense. Abstaining from taking the test or failing it will both invite the punishment. While in the case of Non-licensed personnel, the action will be taken by service providers.
Second Time- For the second violation in line, Licensed personnel will get a suspension of a year’s time. Non-licensed personnel will be removed from their safety-related functions.
For the third time violation, the license will be suspended for a period of three years. Fourth-time violation will attract the cancellation of the license.
DGCA has uploaded the norms on its site and has invited the public to provide their feedback and give suggestions.
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