1 Lee Di Milia; PhD Drive-in drive-out workforce: Extent and implications.

2 Overview: On-shift safety is critical but... Safety is more than on-shift Funding to examine driving and SW: Why? Number of risk factors –Shiftwork + Time-of-day + Task –Growth in 12h & relocation effect

3 Risk Factors: 1.Shiftwork Human biology is diurnal & hard-wired; Eg: body temp; cortisol; melatonin; mood & performance SW disrupts synchrony & pacemaker is inflexible  conflicting messages –  sleep drive but  cortisol & body temp

4 Health impacts of SW: Physiological; Psychological; Social Sleep after NS  2-4h less than day Mood; Impaired performance –  RT;  attention lapses –Self paced work (Smith, 1994) Fatigue & sleepiness

5 2: Time of day:

6 3: Driving task: Monotonous ‘Boring’ environment Unforgiving roads Summary: Sleep loss + TOD + Task Driving – sensitive to sleep loss & bio demands

7 Evidence to date: Long hours & driving do not mix –Medical students; manufacturing –SW + 12h  risk of fall asleep compared to DW –< 6h sleep:  driving impairment –  attention lapses, lane drift No studies of LDD & SW

8 Study: Surveyed 1600 drivers; Capricorn & Peak Downs H’way Between 08 – 10 Some 21% of traffic flow Work, travel and fatigue

9 Results: Two excluded for BAC ≥ % SW; Miners = 93% 30% 4x12h NS; 29% 2x12 NS (Range = 1–14) One-way travel 211 km (max 655 km) 19 drivers between shifts – 581km One driver; left at 02:00 to drive 1300

10 Results: ≥ 7; SW = 19%; NSW = 1%

11 Results: 13% fell asleep driving to DS 23% fell asleep driving from NS Fall asleep linked with lane drifting Linked to <6h sleep Return travel – bi modal

12 Discussion: Long distances driven post NS Some indicators of increased accident risk but none reported!! Simulator studies show ≥7 with increased accidents Seems that shift schedule drives travel pattern Expect DIDOW estimate to be higher?

13 Solutions: Education Sleep facility Modify schedule design Transport arrangements