Full description of the thematic session
Transkript
Full description of the thematic session
Work hours, sleep and injury Session chair · Anna Arlinghaus, Dr., Gesellschaft für Arbeits-, Wirtschafts- und Organisationspsychologische Forschung e.V. (GAWO e.V.), Germany, [email protected] · Imelda Wong, Dr., Institute for Work & Health, Toronto / University of British Columbia, Canada [email protected] Nonstandard shift schedules, particularly those involving overnight work, require workers to be awake during typical (night) sleeping hours, and sleep during regular waking (day) hours. The misalignment of sleep/wake and light/dark cycles can lead to disruption of normal circadian rhythms and the homeostatic drive for sleep. Furthermore, long work hours have been associated with a reduction in sleep and insufficient recovery opportunity. Sleep deprivation has been found to affect cognitive work performance in terms of negatively affecting workers’ moods, reducing motor function, decreasing the ability to concentrate and impairing higher-order thinking skills. Overall, this can contribute to an increased risk for fatigue and accident risk. This is illustrated in high profile disasters such as the nuclear meltdown of Cherynobl, grounding of the Exxon Valdez and, most recently, the derailment and explosion Lac-Mégantic. All of these disasters occurred during early morning hours and accident investigations reveal that all have been partially attributed to human fatigue. In the US, 25% of workers report that their work schedule does not permit them to obtain adequate sleep and 30% do not feel that they obtain sufficient sleep to function at their best. Across North America and Europe, it has been estimated that approximately 20 – 30% of the work force population suffers from prolonged fatigue. It has been estimated that worldwide, sleep-deprived workers cost $350 billion US per year in terms of lost-time wages, productivity and health care. Thus, injury prevention through fatigue management and work hour scheduling remains an important topic for researchers and practitioners. The intention for this thematic session is to discuss the issues surrounding work hours and how they may impact sleep/fatigue and consequently lead to work injury. Our session will draw on existing evidence, examine the possible biological pathways and discuss the implications for future research directions and policy implications. The session includes five speakers: · Impact of work hours limitations on worker and patient safety in US Healthcare Dr. David Lombardi, Liberty Mutual Research Institute for Safety, USA 1 · Flexible / variable work hours and accident risk Professor Friedhelm Nachreiner, GAWO e.V., Germany / Dr. Anna Arlinghaus, GAWO e.V., Germany · Travel weariness and workplace injury Dr. Olav Muurlink, Central Queensland University, Brisbane, Australia · Accident risk on rotating shift systems: the roles of metabolic dysfunction and cognitive impairment Dr. Phil Tucker, Swansea University, UK / Professor Simon Folkard, Paris Descartes University, France · Shift work, fatigue and cognitive impairment: what are the next steps for future research? Dr. Imelda Wong, Institute for Work and Health / University of British Columbia, Canada 2