FIGHTING MINER FATIGUE ON UNUSUAL WORK SCHEDULES:A Management Perspective

Jon Wagner, Mine Safety InstructorHibbing Community College

WHAT ARE UNUSUAL WORK SCHEDULES? Anything other than M-F Day Shift, 40 hours

per week. Night work (during hours normally reserved

for sleep). Rotating shift work. Extended work day schedules (regular 10- or

12-hour shifts). Based on 40-hour week. Extended workweek schedules (regular 50-

to 80-hour workweeks).

EXTENDED WORKWEEK SCHEDULES

1) Seen in some coal operations; growing in surface nonmetal operations ---highway construction.

2) Why used?a) Increase production without buying more

equipment.b) Labor shortage/labor costs.c) Make up for seasonal layoff.d) Urban locations -- constrained

by noise ordinances. Example: 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.

3) Is there a problem with extended workweek schedules?

MINE SAFETY RESEARCH

Shiftwork,Extended Workday Schedules

FATIGUE

ERRORS

ACCIDENTS

INJURIES

FATALITIES

ACCIDENT CAUSATION MODEL

FATIGUE INATTENTIVENESSUNALERTNESS

(42%- 56%)Alcohol?

Drugs?

Vibration?

Lack of sleep?

Noise?

Worries? Illness?Shift work?

Boredom?

Age?

HUMAN ERROR (85%)

ACCIDENTS

SOME FACTS ABOUT FATIGUE...

1) Fatigue is loss of physical, mental, or emotional energy due to time on task.2) Fatigue causes declines in performance and increased errors, accidents, and injuries.

3) Fatigue depends on type of task performed...-Vehicle operation (powered haulage)*-Manual materials handling-Maintenance work-Office/computer work-Supervision

*of greatest concern

SOME RESEARCH RESULTS

1) Accident risk for truck drivers working 14 hours or more is 2.5 - 3.0 times higher than those working 10 hours or less.

2) Risky passing maneuvers occurred 50% more during last 3 hours of a 12-hour shift, compared to the first 3 hours.

3) Half of all hazardous incidents at a company railroad occurred during last 4 hours of a 12-hour shift.

4) In general, long work hours can present a hazard for those workers who have jobs requiring steady vigilance.

MORE RESEARCH RESULTS...

Accidents

Hours driven0 5 10

THE BOTTOM LINE... To work safely, workers need a consistent work schedule

that allows for adequate rest, sleep, and social time during off hours.

To work safely, workers need to avoid excessive noise, dust, vibration, heat, cold, and other environmental stressors. This is important for reducing fatigue and preventing occupational illnesses.

To work safely, workers need to be able to “change pace” and/or take work breaks to avoid fatigue. Doing the same thing, the same way, at the same rate can be deadly.

To work safely, workers must operate in an environment that provides the right amount of mental stimulation. Excessive boredom is as dangerous as excessive stress!

WHAT CAN MANAGEMENT DO?

There are some things managers can do to reduce the fatigue hazard in our mines...

1) CHANGE THE NATURE OF THE JOB2) CHANGE THE JOB ENVIRONMENT3) PROVIDE TRAINING TO ENHANCE

COPING SKILLS4) CHANGE THE WORK SCHEDULE

CHANGING THE NATURE OF THE JOB

Allow equipment swaps. Vary the haulage route or task. Encourage exercise breaks.

CHANGING THE JOB ENVIRONMENT

1) Install air conditioning.a) Control temperatures, reduce fatigue.b) Reduce dust exposure.

c) Reduce noise exposure.2) Provide one- and two-way radios.3) Reduce noise and vibration.

a) Improved seatingb) Improved mufflers, cab acoustics

4) Provide facilities for hot meals, vending machines for healthy snacks and beverages.

Providing Training to Enhance Coping Skills Weight Control and Nutrition Fitness and Aerobic Exercise Drug and Alcohol Counseling,

Employee Assistance Programs Smoking Cessation Sleep Strategies

Options For Changing the Work Schedule

1) Lengthen the period of rotation.

2) Change from Backward rotation (Days to Nights to

Afternoons) to Forward rotation (Days to Afternoons to Nights).

3) Allow some permanent night workers.4) Use rapid rotation (1 or 2 shifts before

rotating) where safety is not a major concern and

errors can be tolerated.

How to Change a Work Schedule1) Construct a company-wide committee.2) Evaluate schedule-related work problems,

worker needs, and operational issues.

a) Surveys and diariesb) Brainstorming sessionsc) Consultants

3) Determine social and operational requirements.

4) Design alternative work schedules.5) Evaluate the alternative work schedules.

Evaluating Work Schedules

Circadian Rhythms? (Daily Biological

Rhythms) Easily Accepted? Operational Needs? Weekends Off? Supervision? Seniority Rights? Commuting Time?

Day Care Available? Social Time? Labor Costs? Legal Requirements? Easy to Remember? Training Time? Trading Shifts? Cover Absentees?

How to Change a Work Schedule 6) Choose three alternatives for a vote. 7) Make the change -- then evaluate.

a) Surveys and diariesb) Brainstorming sessionsc) Consultants

8) Inform your workers about the evaluation results.

9) Decide to keep, reject, or modify the schedule.

10) Train workers and their families on how to cope with

shift work.11) Reevaluate the schedule periodically.

Key Factors in AdjustmentSome miners will handle extended workweek

schedules better than others. Some of the key factors are.....

1) Age (changes occur in mid-40’s)2) General health, fitness, and obesity3) Introversion vs. extroversion4) Sleep flexibility vs. rigidity5) Social orientation -- weekly activity

planning vs. daily activity planning

6) Social time vs. sleep time priorities7) Age of children

Another Potential Problem: Unplanned Overtime

What happens when there is an absence? Do you “double-out?” Suggestion: Split the overtime shift whenever possible.

EXAMPLE: Curly works days (7 a.m. - 3 p.m.)Moe works afternoons (3 p.m. - 11

p.m.)Larry works nights (11 p.m. - 7

a.m.)PROBLEM: Moe calls in sick; was poked in the

eye. What to do?

SOLUTION: Curly works 4 extra hours, and Larry

comes in 4 hours early. This prevents the

problem of working 16 hours straight.

Therefore....

As we increase work hours, managers must take care to prevent worker fatigue due to:

chronic sleep deprivation, overexposures to environmental stressors, and excessive boredom or excessive work pressures.

Remember, fatigue can supply the “human error link” which will allow accidents, injuries, and fatalities to occur. Can you think of ways to reduce the fatigue risk on your properties?