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Extended workshifts and excessive fatigue.
Rosa1
1National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Division of Biomedical and Behavioral Science, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
Journal of Sleep Research
|December 1, 1995
Summary
Extended workshifts can increase fatigue, leading to higher accident rates and performance decrements. Careful evaluation of staffing, workload, and environmental factors is crucial when implementing long work schedules.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Human Factors Engineering
- Industrial Psychology
Background:
- Fatigue from extended work hours is linked to increased accidents, injuries, and safety compromises.
- Studies show performance decrements and sleep loss in workers on long shifts.
- Research on accidents during extended workshifts has yielded inconsistent results.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the impact of fatigue associated with extended workshifts.
- To identify factors that may exacerbate the effects of long work hours.
- To provide recommendations for the cautious implementation of extended workshift schedules.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing studies on overtime, fatigue, and workshift length.
- Analysis of performance decrements in work-related and laboratory tasks.
- Examination of reported sleep loss and subjective sleepiness.
Main Results:
- Fatigue from extended work can significantly increase accident risk.
- Performance deficits and sleep disturbances are common in long workshift scenarios.
- Factors like workload and environmental exposures are often unexamined.
Conclusions:
- Extended workshift schedules require cautious implementation and thorough evaluation.
- Key considerations include staffing, workload, job rotation, and environmental factors.
- Addressing rest breaks, commuting, and personal responsibilities is essential for mitigating risks.