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Hours of work and rest in the rail industry
Author(s) -
Anderson C.,
Grunstein R. R.,
Rajaratnam S. M. W.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
internal medicine journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.596
H-Index - 70
eISSN - 1445-5994
pISSN - 1444-0903
DOI - 10.1111/imj.12159
Subject(s) - rest (music) , work (physics) , medicine , duration (music) , service (business) , sleep loss , operations management , business , sleep deprivation , economics , marketing , circadian rhythm , engineering , mechanical engineering , art , literature
Currently, the N ational T ransport C ommission is considering four options to form the regulatory framework for rail safety within A ustralia with respect to fatigue. While the N ational T ransport C ommission currently recommends no limitations around hours of work or rest, we provide evidence which suggests regulatory frameworks should incorporate a traditional hours of service regulation over more flexible policies. Our review highlights: Shift durations >12 h are associated with a doubling of risk for accident and injury. Fatigue builds cumulatively with each successive shift where rest in between is inadequate (<12 h). A regulatory framework for fatigue management within the rail industry should prescribe limits on hours of work and rest, including maximum shift duration and successive number of shifts. Appropriately, validated biomathematical models and technologies may be used as a part of a fatigue management system, to augment the protection afforded by limits on hours of work and rest. A comprehensive sleep disorder screening and management programme should form an essential component of any regulatory framework.