The Fatigue Phenomenon Addressing the concerns of the sick and tired workforce AEC Webinar September 6, 2018 Lance S. Perry, PE, CPE, EAC Principal Partner my ergo365, LLC www.myergo365.com
Lance S. Perry, PE, CPE, EAC Principal Partner, my ergo365, LLC Licensed Professional Engineer PE Certified Professional Ergonomist CPE Certified Environmental Assessment Consultant EAC BSIE from Texas A&M University and Graduate Studies at Texas A&M University and UT at Arlington Specializes in developing Productivity Improvement Programs, with emphasis on improving overall business performance and productivity. Over 30 years experience in manufacturing, warehousing, construction, and service industries. Experience with over 700 different companies. Over 30 articles and studies in the field of ergonomics, engineering, and business. Authored of 10 books on ergonomics, management, and performance.
The Perfect Storm
The Fatigue Phenomenon Sick and Tired
Introduction Tired people at work are an everyday occurrence. Well-rested, alert employees are obviously critical to safe and productive operations. How a company manages the risks that cause fatigue is key to success.
Tiredness vs. Sleepiness vs. Fatigue Tiredness Sleepiness Fatigue
What is fatigue? Definition Fatigue is physical and/or mental exhaustion that can be triggered by stress, medication, overwork, or mental and physical illness or disease. Description It is the body's way of signaling its need for rest and sleep. But when fatigue becomes a persistent feeling of weariness, tiredness, or exhaustion that goes beyond normal sleepiness, it is usually a sign that something more serious is amiss.
How we got here Sunrise to sunrise Light was fixed and limited Candles and oil lamps Brought light inside and extended the day 24/7 Electricity/light bulbs Made light and energy conveniently available 24/7
Where are we now? On time = All the time
Where are we now? Television is on 24/7
Where are we now? Television is on 24/7 Computers and handhelds are on 24/7 Cable news is available 24/7 Companies are operating 24/7
Where are we now? 12 hrs light 12 hrs dark 24 hrs light 24 hrs work
Fatigue
Fatigue facts 20% of wage and salary workers work a shift other than a regular daytime shift. 25% of employees indicate that their work schedule does not permit them to obtain adequate sleep. 12 hour shifts have an injury incidence rate of 38% higher than 8 hour shifts. Each additional 2 hours worked after 8 hours resulted in an increase of 1.2 injuries per 100 worker-hours. Significant increase in accident risk occurred after the 9 th hour at work.
Fatigue facts Fatigue associated with extended hours, night shifts and Safety and Performance rotating shifts can have a negative impact on safety and performance.
Fatigue facts Sunrise sunset: In 1910, prior to widespread use of the electric light, the average person slept over 9 hours per night, many 10-10.5 hrs. 24/7 electricity: Today, the average person is reported to sleep from 6 to 7.5 hours per night.
Fatigue facts Primates Humans are the only primates on the planet who voluntarily deprive themselves of needed sleep. The average primate sleeps for 9-10 hours each night and take 1-2 hour naps in the mid-afternoon.
Fatigue facts Palinkas, Suedfeld, and Steel (1995) Researchers spent a summer above the arctic circle where there is continuous light 24 hours a day. All watches, clocks and other timekeeping devices were removed, and only the station's computers tracked the times that the team went to sleep and awakened. Individual researchers did their work and chose when to sleep or wake according to their body time.
Fatigue facts Palinkas, Suedfeld, and Steel (1995) At the end of the experiment, they found that their overall average sleep time was 10.3 hours. (The shortest logged 8.8 hours a day and the longest almost 12 hours a day.) This study, like many others, seems to suggest that our biological need for sleep might be closer to the 10 hours per day that is typical of monkeys and apes living in the wild, than the 6 to 7.5 hours typical of humans in today's high-tech, clock-driven lifestyle.
Fatigue vs. drunkenness 19 Hours Awake Equivalent blood alcohol level.05 24 Hours Awake Equivalent blood alcohol level.10 Dawson, D., and K. Reid, "Fatigue, Alcohol and Performance Impairment," Nature 388 (July 17, 1997): 235..08 is legal intoxication
Demand vs. Capacity
Demand versus capacity PHYSICAL Forces Postures DEMANDS PHYSIOLOGICAL Repetition Mechanical stressors Vibration Temperature CAPACITIES PHYSICAL Strength Age / Gender PHYSIOLOGICAL Endurance Flexibility Age Conditioning PHYSOSOCIAL Stress Confusion PHYSOSOCIAL Education / Training Skills / Experience
Demand versus capacity Demands The GAP Demands Capacity Capacity
Fatigue risk considerations Demand side Workload and staffing Shift scheduling Workplace and work environment design Capacity side Education and training Sleep management Personal risk factors
Sources of fatigue Personal risks Lack of sleep Poor diets Lifestyle choices Health factors Personal habits
Sources of fatigue Shifts and sleep issues Shift work Shift changes Night shift Overtime Staffing issues
Sources of fatigue Work demands and design issues Vibration exposure Light levels Noise Job demands physical, physiological and psychological Job design - breaks and job rotations Stress and pace
Consequences of fatigue Medical/personal conditions include: Diabetes Hypertension Cardiovascular disease Gastrointestinal disorders Obesity and its resultant medical issues Psychological disorders Cancer Immune system compromised
Consequences of fatigue Business risks include: Cognitive errors Diminished alertness Slower reaction times Mental processing errors Neurologic and coordination errors Poor judgment Poor memory and vigilance Inability to recognize risks Lower performance Higher risks
Business consequences Increased costs Lower performance Impact to Business Higher injury rates Mistakes and Errors
Employees and employers EMPLOYEES Ensures success EMPLOYERS
Fatigue Risk Management System FRMS
FMRS major steps 1. Develop a fatigue management policy 2. Identify roles and responsibilities 3. Fatigue management training and education for employees, management, and families 4. Perform fatigue risk management assessments 5. Develop a fatigue reporting system for employees 6. Institute fatigue incident investigations 7. Provide resources for enhancing sleep 8. Develop an auditing process that ensures responsive corrective actions through continuous improvement
Conclusion - The Perfect Storm The Fatigue Phenomenon - Fatigue Risk Management System The Silver Tsunami - Aging Workforce Management System The Battle of the Bulge - Obese Workforce Management System
Conclusion - the B.E.T.T.E.R. way
Conclusion You must measure
Conclusion - The Perfect Storm Old Normal Aging Effect 100% (lowered by 15-25%) 85-75% Lower strength Less flexibility Slower reaction times Higher fatigue More diseases Physiologic decline Psychosocial preferences Less endurance Poor balance Figure 1: The effects that aging has on employees.
Conclusion - The Perfect Storm Aging Effect Obesity Effect 85-75% (lowered by 20%) 68-60% Higher fatigue Less flexibility Slower reaction times More diseases Higher absenteeism Less endurance Higher medical costs Figure 2: The effects that obesity has on employees.
Conclusion - The Perfect Storm Obesity Effect Fatigue Effect 68-60% (lowered by 35%) 44-39% Lower immune levels Disease/Illnesses Psychological stress Errors/mistakes Lower performance Slower reaction times Diminished alertness Poor memory/judgment Figure 3: The effects that fatigue has on employees.
Conclusion - The Perfect Storm Robots are set to takeover 38% of jobs in the next 15 years. Los Angeles Times 2017 The Future Employee
Thank you Mr. Lance S. Perry, PE, CPE, EAC Principal Partner 817-741-8655 office 817-602-7643 cell lance.perry@myergo365.com
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