Research needs and opportunities for reducing the adverse safety consequences of fatigue

Sleep-Deprived Young Drivers and the Risk for Crash

“…63 Young drivers should be a key focus because this group experiences more impairment in alertness, mood, and physical performance compared with older age groups with similar sleep deprivation. 8 Our current paper addresses several of the research needs highlighted during the recent Hopkinton Conference on Future Directions in Fatigue and Safety Research including time of day effects, fatigue, and risk taking, 64 as well as the use of prospective study designs. 65 This study provides rationale for addressing sleep deprivation among young drivers 66 -in particular highlighting increased risks for crash with 6 or fewer hours of sleep per night, weekend run-off-road crashes, and crashes between 8 PM and 6 AM.…”

The Role of Work Schedules in Occupational Health and Safety

“…This must occur across industries where adverse work schedules are common, and must include motivated and resistant employers. Horrey et al ( 2011 ) details other research needs, including identifying high risk populations and conditions for workplace sleepiness using stronger study designs and more objective measures of fatigue. In addition, he advocates for researchers to examine populations with chronic health conditions, and to consider interaction effects of various demographic and personality factors in fatigue research.…”

Contributors to fatigue at a platinum smelter in South Africa

“…Individual and non-work contributors to fatigue include aspects such as sleep, health, fitness for work, lifestyle factors, and commuting time (Åkerstedt et al, 2014;Di Milia et al, 2011;Horrey et al, 2011;NSW, 2009). Age, diet, drug and alcohol use, medical conditions, quality and quantity of rest before a work period, circadian rhythm ('body clock'), sleep disorders, strenuous activities outside of work (e.g.…”

“…In addition, living conditions are likely to influence the levels of fatigue experienced by mineworkers due to poor conditions in which to sleep, long commuting times between work and home, and poor health arising from a lack of access to services and amenities (Åkerstedt et al, 2014;Galobardes et al, 2006). Horrey et al (2011) reported that many demographic, personality, and workplace factors can impact the levels of fatigue experienced and their consequences. De Milia et al (2011) noted that the interaction between demographic factors and fatigue is a neglected area of research and that, apart from age and sex, the influence of many demographic factors is largely unknown.…”

“…De Milia et al (2011) noted that the interaction between demographic factors and fatigue is a neglected area of research and that, apart from age and sex, the influence of many demographic factors is largely unknown. There is a lack of information about associations between demographics, living conditions, and various other non-work factors and fatigue (Di Milia et al, 2011;Horrey et al, 2011). Living and socioeconomic conditions have been highlighted as a particular concern in the South African mining industry.…”