Sleeping on the Job

An air traffic controller fell asleep during the fourth night shift in a row.    The papers said he was working alone and  working from 10pm to 6am.   I know the difficulties of staying awake during those hours.  Now he is suspended for sleeping on the job.  Others will also face criticism and discipline for doing what humans are supposed to do – sleep at night.

The FAA is being criticized for having controllers working alone.   The public is outraged.  The Secretary of Transportation states that they need to be at least two controllers on duty.   Other modes of transportation, like pipelines, that have one person working night shift may get some attention.

That could be helpful, but two people working four nights in a row can fall asleep as easy as one.  A plane tried to contact him, and he slept through several attempts to call him.  When a person gets fatigued,  sleep is the only cure  and all other signals will be ignored.   He could have caused more harm in he had awoken and started giving the pilots instructions.  The effects of sleep inertia take awhile to dissipate.

Posted March 27th, 2011 in Human Factors, In the News, Managing Fatigue

Watch Your Circadian Rhythms

Will people that work with you, or you, be more tired Monday morning?  I’ve read several studies from the last few years that there are higher risks of heart attacks, traffic accidents, and workplace incidents on the first Monday of Daylight Savings Time.

It usually takes me a few days to adjust to the one hour time change.  It’s probably the one time during the year when day time workers experience how shift workers feel all the time.  Our circadian rhythms don’t handle change, most of us don’t get enough sleep, and we don’t respect our need for sleep.  Please read the attached article.

Watch Your Circadian Rhythms

Posted March 13th, 2011 in 2011 Managing Fatigue Articles, Human Factors, Managing Fatigue

Sleep Problems Lead to Other Problems

It’s interesting that pipeline controllers need to be provided the opportunity for eight hours sleep, and twelve hours between shifts should provide that.  The ongoing challenge for anyone who works rotating shifts or their managers is providing education and suggestions and counsel about how to address those things, like sleep disorders, that may hinder getting eight hours of sleep.  Unfortunately, the opportunity does not guarantee eight hours.    Please read the article about sleep problems.

February Sleep Problems Lead to Other Problems-Color

I hope all of you get at least eight hours of sleep every night, have no sleep disorders, and never get any calls after you leave work.

I have some 2011 Managing Fatigue calendars left if you know anyone in your company or another company who may want some.

Posted March 13th, 2011 in 2011 Managing Fatigue Articles, Human Factors, Managing Fatigue