How to Address Operator Fatigue During National Safety Month

National Safety Month is an opportunity to reflect on workplace hazards and assess areas of improvement to reduce risks for workers and employers. One area significantly affecting public safety is operator fatigue among shift workers, including truck drivers, train operators, and transit workers. According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, drowsy driving accounts for about 328,000 crashes annually, resulting in 109,000 injuries and approximately 6,400 fatalities. These figures highlight the severe impact of fatigue on safety in transportation sectors.

The Impact of Operator Fatigue

Operator fatigue impairs reaction times and reduces hazard awareness and the ability to sustain attention. Fatigued operators are more likely to experience "microsleeps," brief episodes of sleep that can be fatal at any speed. Operating heavy machinery or driving after being awake for more than 20 hours is comparable to working with a blood-alcohol concentration of 0.08%, the legal limit in the U.S.

Key Statistics for Commercial Drivers and Operators

• Commercial Vehicle Crashes: In 2021, 5,788 large trucks and buses were involved in fatal crashes, an increase from the previous year.
• Time-of-Day Effects: Driver and operator alertness is more related to "time-of-day" than "time-on-task". Many commercial vehicle crashes occur within the first hour of driving
• Impact on Safety: Commercial drivers who suffer from sleep disorders have a higher risk of crashes, especially if the disorders remain untreated.

Contributing Factors

Several factors contribute to operator fatigue, particularly in the transportation industry:

• Irregular Hours: Irregular work hours disrupt circadian rhythms, making it difficult for operators to maintain a regular sleep schedule.
• Isolation: Long hours on the road or in the cab can lead to feelings of isolation and may further exacerbate fatigue.
• Monotonous Tasks: Performing repetitive or monotonous tasks for extended periods can lead to mental fatigue and decreased alertness.
• Stress and Workload: High levels of stress and demanding workloads can contribute to both physical and mental fatigue.

Preventive Measures and Fatigue Risk Management Systems (FRMS)

Addressing operator fatigue requires a multifaceted approach. There is a general consensus in the field that best practices include implementing a Fatigue Risk Management System (FRMS). FRMS helps monitor and manage fatigue-related risks, providing a structured approach to improving operator safety.

A comprehensive FRMS consists of a series of five defenses (Figure 1). Each defense has a goal, specific tools to mitigate fatigue, and metrics to evaluate the defense. The first three defenses (i.e. workload-staffing, scheduling, training) impact sleep opportunity and management, while the last two (work environment, fatigue monitoring) provide alertness management.

Figure 1: The 5 Defenses of Fatigue Management

Critical Components of an FRMS include:

• Providing Regular Breaks: Scheduling regular and adequate driving breaks can help maintain alertness.
• Requiring Education and Training Programs: Education and training programs can raise awareness about the dangers of drowsy driving, provide strategies to manage fatigue, and emphasize the importance of prioritizing sleep before starting a shift.
• Obtaining Consultation and Training for Management: Consultation services and training programs for management, focusing on the importance of fatigue management and strategies to reduce fatigue in everyday life are critical to support a safety-focused culture.

National Safety Month: A Call to Action

National Safety Month is an excellent opportunity to raise awareness about operator fatigue and promote best practices to prevent accidents and other safety incidents. Implementing a Fatigue Risk Management System (FRMS) or its critical components can significantly reduce the risks associated with drowsy driving and operating. If you are interested in learning more, reach out for a conversation with us!

Circadian and Circadian Expert Services

Circadian has extensive experience in risk and change management designing, developing, and implementing FRMS and its critical components across most industries, including trucking, aviation, rail, and marine.

In addition, for over 30 years, Circadian Expert Services has experience in fatigue investigations supporting safety departments and matters that escalate to litigation, where fatigue is suspected to be a causal factor. Our multi-disciplinary investigatory team provides insights based on fatigue science, and testimony when required, to help identify the role (if any) of fatigue in accidents and other safety incidents. Our services include non-confrontational interviews of involved parties, analyses of key physiological circadian factors, human performance, work hours, expert witness testimony, and strategic support throughout the investigatory and litigation processes.

To learn more about how Circadian Expert Services can assist your investigatory or litigation needs and improve safety outcomes, visit our website or contact our team. Together, we can make a meaningful difference in reducing fatigue-related accidents and enhancing safety in the transportation industry.

• Call us: 781-439-6300
• Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

For deeper insights, explore our whitepapers:

• Evolution of Fatigue Risk Management Systems
• Shift Scheduling & Employee Involvement
• The Myths & Realities of Fatigue

Explore more whitepaper here.

Take the first step towards a safer, more productive workplace with CIRCADIAN®.

References

AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. (2024). Prevalence and Impact of Drowsy Driving.

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). (2023). Commercial Vehicle Crash Data.

Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). (2023). Sleep Apnea and Safety.

National Safety Council. (2023). Fatigued Driving.

American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI). (2023). Effects of Monotonous Tasks on Driver Fatigue.

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). (2023). Stress and Workload in Transportation.

Hu, X., & Lodewijks, G. (2020). Detecting fatigue in drivers and aircraft pilots using non-invasive measures. Journal of Safety Research.

Marcus, J. H., & Rosekind, M. (2016). Fatigue in transportation: NTSB investigations and safety recommendations. Injury Prevention.

McCallum, M., & Sanquist, T. (2004). A survey of operational fatigue risk factors among commercial transportation operators. Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting.

Phillips, R., Kecklund, G., Anund, A., & Sallinen, M. (2017). Fatigue in transport: A review of exposure, risks, checks and controls. Transport Reviews.

Sallinen, M., & Hublin, C. (2015). Fatigue-inducing factors in transportation operators. Reviews of Human Factors and Ergonomics