Task Description

Task name :

Develop guidance on VTS Personnel Mental Health Management

Leading committee and working group owning the task: VTS WG 3
Tasks associated (*leading) :
Tags: Work programme 2025-2027, Work programme 2023-2027
Task Leader : Michele Landi
Task Number : VTS-3.1.1
Standards : S1050 Training and Certification
Topic area : S1050.1 Training and assessment
Task Description :

Develop new IALA guidance aimed at supporting VTS organizations in the systematic management, monitoring and protection of the mental health of VTS personnel.

Objectives of the task :

Provide VTS organizations with guidance to better understand the factors that may influence the mental health of VTS personnel and to support the implementation of organizational and operational measures to manage these risks. The task will promote a preventive and risk-based approach, aligned with human factors, safety culture principles and relevant international standards.

Expected outcome :

New IALA guideline offering practical guidance to VTS providers on how to monitor, manage and support the mental well-being of VTS personnel, contributing to sustainable performance, operational reliability and navigational safety.

Compelling need :

VTS personnel operate in a demanding, safety-critical environment that exposes them to sustained stress, fatigue and high responsibility. These conditions may affect mental well-being and, consequently, operational performance and safety. There is a growing need for structured guidance that helps VTS organisations move from a reactive response to isolated events towards a proactive and systematic management of mental health and psychosocial risks.

Strategic Alignment :
Scope :

The guideline will address mental health and work-related stress in VTS operations, with reference to psychosocial risks arising from work organization, operational demands and the working environment. It will be aligned with existing IALA guidance related to mental health and with relevant international standards on psychosocial risk management.

Cybersecurity related :

No

Brief and concise description of the work : to be undertaken and programme mile-stones (where appropriate).

Key milestones

  • Sep 2024 (VTS56) --Scope Task and prepare skeleton
  • Mar 2025 (VTS57) -- Draft document prepared
  • Sep 2025 (VTS58) -- Draft document improved
  • Mar 2026 (VTS59) -- Draft document improved
  • Sep 2026 (VTS60) -- Draft guidance reviewed by VTS Committee and forwarded to Council for approval
Expected numbers of sessions for completion :
Session 54 Session 55 Session 56 Session 57 Session 58 Session 59 Session 60
+ + + v v

Meaning of symbols for sessions :

v + x > <
Scheduled Progressed Not progressed Finalised On hold
Committee notes : Origins :
Approved by Council (Council session/Date) : 0
Notes from the council :
Status (Text) : Ongoing
Status (Colour) :
On track
Remarks :

History of the task :

2025-02-12 16:22:31 VTSCC

2025-02-26 10:24:45 VTSWG3VC

2025-03-19 12:37:27 VTSWG3VC

2025-03-19 16:23:21 VTSTGL21

2025-03-19 16:30:49 VTSTGL21

2025-05-04 18:36:29 alisa.nechyporuk

2025-09-19 11:12:44 admin1

2025-09-26 09:26:02 VTSWG3C

2025-10-02 14:02:39 VTSWG3VC

2025-10-22 11:45:20 VTSTGL21

2025-10-23 18:58:44 VTSCC

2025-10-23 19:00:19 VTSCC

2026-03-01 17:08:03 admin1

2026-03-03 09:26:33 VTSTGL23

2026-03-04 16:18:09 VTSWG3VC