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Updated: Jun 16, 2026

Collecting Sleep, Circadian, Fatigue, and Performance Data in Complex Operational Environments
Published on: August 8, 2019
The effects of different roster schedules on sleep in miners
Gemma M Paech1, Sarah M Jay, Nicole Lamond
1The Centre for Sleep Research, University of South Australia, City East Campus, Level 7, Playford Building, Frome Road, Adelaide 5000, Australia. gemma.paech@unisa.edu.au
Abstract:
Shiftwork involving early morning starts and night work can affect both sleep and fatigue. This study aimed to assess the impact of different rostering schedules at an Australian mine site on sleep and subjective sleep quality. Participants worked one of four rosters; 4 x 4 (n = 14) 4D4O4N4O 7 x 4 (n = 10) 7D4O7N40 10 x 5 (n = 17) 5D5N50 14 x 7 (n = 12) 7D7N70. Sleep (wrist actigraphy and sleep diaries) was monitored for a full roster cycle including days off. Total sleep time (TST) was longer on days off (7.0 +/- 1.9) compared to sleep when on day (6.0 +/- 1.0) and nightshifts (6.2 +/- 1.6). Despite an increase in TST on days off, this may be insufficient to recover from the severe sleep restriction occurring during work times. Restricted sleep and quick shift-change periods may lead to long-term sleep loss and associated fatigue.
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