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Patterns of fatigue among seafarers during a tour of duty
Author(s) -
Wadsworth Emma J.K.,
Allen Paul H.,
Wellens Benjamin T.,
McNamara Rachel L.,
Smith Andrew P.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
american journal of industrial medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.7
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1097-0274
pISSN - 0271-3586
DOI - 10.1002/ajim.20381
Subject(s) - medicine , mental fatigue , occupational safety and health , occupational medicine , duty , chronic fatigue , work (physics) , injury prevention , poison control , environmental health , demography , physical therapy , occupational exposure , chronic fatigue syndrome , clinical psychology , mechanical engineering , philosophy , theology , pathology , sociology , engineering
Background Work‐related fatigue is associated with sickness absence and mental and physical health problems, and may increase the risk of accidents and injuries at work. Relatively little is known about fatigue among seafarers, particularly during a tour of duty. The aim of this study was to describe the pattern of day to day fatigue among seafarers during a tour at sea. Methods Participants from the offshore support, short sea and coastal, and deep sea sectors of the UK shipping industry completed daily diaries. Information about sleep and fatigue was collected each day on waking and retiring. Results Fatigue on waking was a more sensitive measure of cumulative occupational fatigue than fatigue on retiring. Fatigue on waking increased between the start and end of tour. This increase took place in particular during the first week at sea, and was most apparent among those on shorter tours of duty. Conclusions Day to day changes in fatigue are measurable, and may vary among particular sub‐groups of seafarers. Used among larger groups, such a diary method could help identify times and activities associated with the greatest risk. Am. J. Ind. Med. 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.