Fatigue Risk Management: A Case Study

Abstract

Shiftwork is a common activity across oil and gas operations. One of the biggest threats associated with shiftwork is fatigue-related impairment. While the relationship between fatigue and safety risk are widely acknowledged, the practical implications and management practices within the oil and gas industry are not well understood, practiced or monitored. This paper will explore the prevalence and nature of fatigue-related impairment in a small population of oil and gas workers. Data will be presented on actual work hours, sleep quality and quantity, and the relationship with performance impairment. Data was collected using questionnaires, work, sleep and symptom diaries, wrist activity monitors and psychomotor vigilance tasks using a hand held palm pilot.The results portray the difference in risk profile across a two week period of 12-hour night shifts, contrasted against a twoweek period of 12-hour day shifts. The results draw attention to high-risk periods across a shift work roster, and propose targeted management strategies using the hierarchy of control. The paper concludes with areas for further research and industry collaboration.

US research needs related to fatigue, sleep, and working hours among oil and gas extraction workers

“…For shift workers at a remote onshore gas processing plant, there was not a relationship between performance on a reaction‐time test given at the end of night shifts and self‐reported fatigue before workers went to sleep after these shifts 85 …”

“…No mean differences in reaction times for day shift versus night shift workers at end of work block 85 or between day, night, and swing‐shift workers 58 …”

“… Worsening of sleep parameters with return to day work after 7 days on night shift, but gradual improvement during that week 87 Mixed results based on reaction‐time tests: overall, 57% of workers were fatigued at beginning of 2‐week work block, 88% at end (but higher % of fatigue at beginning of work block for those with 2 weeks on/1 week off); 88 objective fatigue remained stable over the course of 2‐week offshore day shifts; 29,85,89 faster reaction time at the end of the 2‐week work block for all shift types (day, night, swing); 58 no declines in reaction time on the day swing‐shift workers changed from night to day shifts 46 …”

“… No mean differences in reaction times for day shift versus night shift workers at end of work block 85 or between day, night, and swing‐shift workers 58 For offshore swing‐shift workers, bright light improved sleep slightly for workers during their week of night shifts, based on sleep diaries and actigraphy 48 Greater heart‐rate variability for swing‐shift vs. non‐swing‐shift workers and for night‐shift vs. day‐shift workers 86 …”

Assessment of occupational risk of oil industry workers in extraction of energy resources with regard to fatigue

“…Subjective methods for assessing fatigue are based on questioning of oil industry workers. These methods have their drawbacks, as filling out the questionnaires can take up to 40 minutes [14].…”