28 Days of Shift Work

We’re working on the drawings for the 2012 Managing Fatigue calendar and I had an idea for illustrating what a person looks like and feels like on the modified Dupont schedule.   See if this fits with your experiences on the days and nights you work and the days off.

Posted October 16th, 2011 in 2011 Control Room Management, Managing Fatigue

Take a Break Outside

One of the fatigue risk management systems we developed for a pipeline client included a break from the console.  This company has a qualified supervisor who can provide a break for the controllers on shift.  I suggested that a good option during the break would be a walk outside. In the Wall St. Journal on August 30, I read that researchers are identifying things that can bring “optimal mental refreshment.”   A walk where one takes in the sights and sounds of nature are very helpful.  In one study, performance on memory and attention tests improved by 20% after those being tested took a break and walked through an arboretum.

Posted September 16th, 2011 in Managing Fatigue

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