Gerard Forlin KC: Time for Aviation Industry to Prioritise Mental Health
A comprehensive report, co-authored by Gerard Forlin KC, on psychosocial risk management (PRM) in the aviation industry has been gaining significant attention. Developed by the Human Factors Wellbeing Specialist Group of the UK’s Royal Aeronautical Society, the report outlines key areas of the aviation ecosystem that could benefit from a proactive approach to addressing staff mental health and wellbeing.
Gerard, who has recently been involved in drafting a consensus statement that will be published shortly by the Royal Aeronautical Society, has emphasised the growing recognition and acceptance of psychosocial risk management in the aviation sector. He advocates for the adoption of ISO 450003, which could provide a clear and pragmatic route to enhancing workplace safety and performance.
“This paper is seen as a definitive work in this area, offering a holistic approach to addressing the mental health crisis rather than simply applying a ‘sticking plaster’ to an already concerning issue,” says Gerard in interviews with Air Traffic Technology and Business Airport International magazines. He calls for regulatory bodies and stakeholders to accelerate their efforts in implementing these recommendations across the sector.
The report stresses that while some progress has been made, there is still much work to do. “We need to create an integrated approach across all stakeholders,” Gerard says. He notes that while the aviation sector has started recognising psychosocial risk as a serious issue, it has lagged behind other industries in addressing mental health as a critical safety factor.
“We seem to have hit a turning point when it comes to pilots’ mental health, but the rest of aviation is lagging behind”, Gerard tells Business Airport International.
Among the report’s key points are 13 recommendations designed to guide industry regulators and employers toward better management of psychosocial risks. “This issue is crucial,” Gerard concludes. “The industry must act fast and act far enough.”
Gerard will deliver the keynote address at a Royal Aeronautical Society conference on 9th October as well as a lecture to Lloyd’s Market Association in November 2024 on this topic.
