Time-of-day and days-on-shift predict increased fatigue over two-week offshore day-shifts

V. Riethmeister*, R. W. Matthews, D. Dawson, M. R. de Boer, S. Brouwer, U. Bültmann

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to JournalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the accumulation of fatigue over a two-week offshore period. In particular, the effects of (1) time-of-day and days-on-shift as well as (2) acute and chronic sleep loss on the rate at which fatigue accumulates were investigated. Methods: 42 day-shift offshore workers were examined. Fatigue was measured using pre- and post-shift scores on the Karolinska Sleepiness Scale (KSS). Total sleep time was measured using actigraphy (Motionwatch8, Camntech). Data was analyzed using a linear mixed model analyses. Results: Average sleep loss per night was 92 min (95%CI: 89.6–94.0; p <.001). Mean cumulative sleep loss across the study was 21:20hrs (SD = 08:10hrs) over the 14 days. Chronic sleep loss was significantly related to a modest increase in sleepiness (KSS) across the shift (95%CI: 0.01–0.17; p =.020) and in post-shift scores (95%CI:.07–0.19; p <.001). Time-of-day (95%CI: 0.63 to −0.01; p =.042) and days-on-shift (95%CI: 0.03–0.08; p <.001) as well as their interaction (95%CI: 0.08 to −0.00; p =.027) influenced the rate at which fatigue accumulated over a two-week offshore period. Conclusions: Pre- and post-shift fatigue accumulate in different ways over the two-week offshore period. The accumulation of post-shift fatigue scores was positively related to successive days-on-shift and chronic sleep loss. Our results suggest that prolonging offshore periods will likely result in elevated fatigue risk. Accumulating fatigue and sleep loss over two-week offshore periods should be considered in fatigue risk management plans and systems.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)157-163
Number of pages7
JournalApplied Ergonomics
Volume78
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jul 2019

Funding

This research was supported and funded by the Nederlandse Aardolie Maatschappij B.V., Assen , The Netherlands and Royal Dutch Shell, The Hague, The Netherlands . Vanessa Riethmeister works full time as an insights analyst at the Systems, Planning, Assurance and Reporting Group of the Health, Safety and Environment Function of Royal Dutch Shell. In addition, she is an external PhD student at the Department of Health Sciences, Community and Occupational Medicine, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, The Netherlands. The authors report no conflicts of interest.

FundersFunder number
Nederlandse Aardolie Maatschappij B.V.
Netherlands and Royal Dutch Shell

    Keywords

    • Fatigue risk management
    • Occupational health
    • Occupational safety
    • Sleep
    • Sleepiness

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