Fatigue Management Module

1. FIGHTING MINER FATIGUE
ON UNUSUAL WORK
SCHEDULES:
A Management Perspective
Jon Wagner, Mine Safety Instructor
Hibbing Community College

2. 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).

3. 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?

4. MINE SAFETY RESEARCH
Shiftwork,
Extended Workday
Schedules
FATIGUE
ERRORS
ACCIDENTS
INJURIES
FATALITIES

5. ACCIDENT CAUSATION MODEL
FATIGUE
INATTENTIVENESS
UNALERTNESS
(42%-
56%)
Alcohol?
Drugs?
Vibration?
Lack of sleep?
Noise?
Worries? Illness
? Shift work?
Boredom?
Age?
HUMAN ERROR (85%)
ACCIDENTS

6. 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

7. 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.

8. MORE RESEARCH
RESULTS...
Accidents
Hours driven
0 5 10

9. 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!

10. 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 JOB
2) CHANGE THE JOB ENVIRONMENT
3) PROVIDE TRAINING TO ENHANCE
COPING SKILLS
4) CHANGE THE WORK SCHEDULE

11. CHANGING THE NATURE
OF THE JOB
 Allow equipment swaps.
 Vary the haulage route or task.
 Encourage exercise breaks.

12. 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 seating
b) Improved mufflers, cab acoustics
4) Provide facilities for hot meals, vending machines for
healthy snacks and beverages.

13. 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

14. 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.

15. How to Change a Work Schedule
1) Construct a company-wide committee.
2) Evaluate schedule-related work problems, worker
needs, and operational issues.
a) Surveys and diaries
b) Brainstorming sessions
c) Consultants
3) Determine social and operational requirements.
4) Design alternative work schedules.
5) Evaluate the alternative work schedules.

16. 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?

17. How to Change a Work Schedule
6) Choose three alternatives for a vote.
7) Make the change -- then evaluate.
a) Surveys and diaries
b) Brainstorming sessions
c) 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.

18. Key Factors in Adjustment
Some 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 obesity
3) Introversion vs. extroversion
4) Sleep flexibility vs. rigidity
5) Social orientation -- weekly activity planning
vs. daily activity planning
6) Social time vs. sleep time priorities
7) Age of children

19. 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.

20. 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?