I’veheard it said that the best shift schedule is the one you are not working.That’s a common perception, possibly because shift work is hard work no matterhow it’s arranged within the weeks and months of a person’s work-life. Becauseshift-work creates a risk for fatigue that is greater than working atraditional daytime-only schedule, the shift-worker is required to receiveongoing education about managing fatigue. Through this education and yourpersonal experience, you know that sleep is the only means for repaying yoursleep debt.
Which schedule results in less fatigue? The answer to that question is not clear and varies in opinion. Here’s an overview of the most widely used shift schedules.
The DuPont. Named after the company where it originated in the late 1950s, the most notable feature of this schedule is seven or eight continuous days off during every 28-day rotation. The DuPont schedule generally includes maximum work stretches of 4 days or nights and a short 24-hour break between alternating 3 day-shifts and 3 night-shifts.
- Pro: a built-in mini vacation every 28-day cycle.
- Con: The 24-hour break gives little time to recover between multiple-day work stretches.
The 2-3-2. This schedule became popular in the 1980s. It is sometimes known as EOWEO for “Every Other WeekEnd Off”. Employees follow a 14-day cycle (either all days or all nights per cycle) of: 2 days on, 2 days off, 3 days on, 2 days off, 2 days on and 3 days off.
- Pro: no more than three night-shifts in a row; every other weekend off.
- Con: no more than three days off in a row at any point during the 14-day cycle; this schedule requires a rapid rotation.
Four On, Four Off. Employees work 4 days or nights, then have 4 days or nights off.
- Pro: allows workers time to recover between rotations.
- Con: because of the 8-day cycle, days off move forward one day per week.
Your company’s shift schedulecan be evaluated in a systematic and practical way using fatigue-modelingsoftware such as FAID®. The use of biomathematical modeling can determine thefatigue risk profile of a company’s current schedule. It helps identify whenthe greatest risks for fatigue exist by evaluating and analyzing hours of workfatigue exposure. The goal is to manage the risks of fatigue related errors bypointing out when someone will be most susceptible to fatigue.
The Stanford Sleepiness Scaleis a quick and easy way to assess how alert you are feeling. It is subjectivein nature but provides a basic measurement on your level of alertness. Thescale rating ranges from 1-feeling active, vital, alert, wide awake down to7-no longer fighting sleep, soon onset of sleep, having dream-like thoughts andfinally 8-asleep. A rating of four or five indicates you should take a breakfrom the console to mitigate your fatigue. If you routinely fall below a ratingof five, you could be suffering from a lack of quality sleep.
Every shift schedule hasadvantages and disadvantages. Because we are human, we are prone to fatigue.Your company has the responsibility of providing adequate time for you to geteight hours of sleep, regardless of scheduling. Take your responsibility foradequate rest seriously!
MANAGING FATIGUE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM | Scarlet Knight © 2019 Please Distribute to Others.
