Max Kick, No Sugar – A Way to Manage Fatigue?

I walked into a quick mart in Heidelberg, Germany.  It’s interesting that the Germans also are using energy drinks as a way to get some quick energy.  In pipeline control centers, I notice that the younger employees use energy drinks instead of coffee.  I asked our host, an Army employee, if it is similar in the Army.  He said, “Oh, yeah.  The old guys drink coffee, and the youngsters use energy drinks.

When we were at a hotel for military personnel and their guests last week, the buffet restaurant had huge containers of regular coffee and one pot of decaf coffee.  I am used to seeing similar sized pots of regular and decaf coffee in hotels.  Our host said that very few military people drink decaf, since they need the caffeine boost.

What about you?  What about your co-workers?   Are you caffeinated or decaffeinated?  Do you use coffee or energy drinks?   Are these substitutes for adequate sleep?

Posted December 29th, 2010 in Human Factors, Managing Fatigue, Observations

How to Measure Fatigue

People in pipeline control centers are supposed to be trained to recognize the signs and effects of fatigue.  When they ask me how to do that, I reply it is very difficult without using probes to measure heart rate, blood pressure, temperature or using eye scan tests with an alertness test.  Australian researchers wrote a journal article about their research using changes in speech to recognize fatigue.   Measuring Fatigue Through the Voice – Digital Journal

Since other research indicates that a fatigued person performs similarly to an intoxicated person, I suppose slurred speech in the sleep deprived could be similar to someone who has high blood alcohol content.

We have to rely on physical symptoms to assess someone’s level of fatigue.

• Yawning repeatedly
• Heavy eyelids or microsleeps
• Eye-rubbing
• Nodding off or head drooping
• Headaches, nausea, or upset stomach
• Slowed reaction time
• Lack of energy,  weakness, or light headedness

If you or a co-worker is exhibiting these signs, he or she is probably fatigued.  If it’s between 2am and 6am and someone has those symptoms.  watch them carefully and monitor their performance.

Posted December 28th, 2010 in Managing Fatigue

2011 Managing Fatigue Educational Program

I am excited that 613 people will participate in the 2011 Managing Fatigue Educational Program. Companies in the USA and Canada want their employees to receive a calendar, use the monthly articles in safety meetings and discussions, and use the PowerPoint presentation for group and individual training.

If you haven’t placed an order, join managers and employees who will be using these products as part of a fatigue risk management system in 2011.  Look at the calendar Managing Fatigue 2011 Calendar

The program is priced at $15.95 per calendar plus shipping.  The articles and training presentation are provided at no additional charge.

E-mail charles@charlesalday.com with the number you want and your mailing address.  You can  be invoiced or use PayPal to use a credit card.

Posted December 27th, 2010 in Human Factors, Managing Fatigue