VALIDATION OF THE ARRB VALIDATION OF THE ARRB FATIGUE MONITORFATIGUE MONITOR

NICK MABBOTT - ARRB Transport Research Ltd.

THE PROBLEMTHE PROBLEM

• Fatigue has become recognised as a contributing factor in workplace incidents

• Relationship between fatigue & the combination of sleep, work periods & time of day is complex

• Humans cannot predict how long they can remain awake

• Personnel will not always comply with fatigue management programs

FITNESS FOR DUTY TESTINGFITNESS FOR DUTY TESTING

• POSIPOSITIVTIVES:ES:– Assessment of whether or not worker should Assessment of whether or not worker should

commence shift;commence shift;– Has reduced irresponsible social behaviours;Has reduced irresponsible social behaviours;– Has added to an increased healthy lifestyle.Has added to an increased healthy lifestyle.

FITNESS FOR DUTY TESTINGFITNESS FOR DUTY TESTING

• NEGATIVES:NEGATIVES:– Lack of published scientific validation data;Lack of published scientific validation data;– Momentary test at start times;Momentary test at start times;– Not practical to administer tests throughout Not practical to administer tests throughout

shifts;shifts;– Cannot predict human performance Cannot predict human performance

variations.variations.

• A stimulus - reaction task capable of A stimulus - reaction task capable of early fatigue detectionearly fatigue detection

• Concept based on slow reactions Concept based on slow reactions indicating effects of fatigueindicating effects of fatigue

• Tests throughout the whole shiftTests throughout the whole shift• Early warning to operator and supervisorEarly warning to operator and supervisor

ARRB Fatigue MonitorARRB Fatigue Monitor

DEVICE TRIALDEVICE TRIAL

• Current trial at Hamersley Iron - WACurrent trial at Hamersley Iron - WA

• Four dump trucks fitted with devicesFour dump trucks fitted with devices

• 23 operators being tested - voluntarily23 operators being tested - voluntarily

• Testing 24 hrs dayTesting 24 hrs day

• Testing over three month periodTesting over three month period

RESULTS THUS FARRESULTS THUS FAR

• Over 200 hours of test dataOver 200 hours of test data

• Data showing time of day performance Data showing time of day performance effectseffects

• Clear circadian patternsClear circadian patterns

• Some anomalies in the dataSome anomalies in the data

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1

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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24

SlowResponses

Extreme

TIME OF DAY EFFECTSTIME OF DAY EFFECTS

Performance decrements between:Performance decrements between:• Midnight & 6 AM - 53%Midnight & 6 AM - 53%

• 6 AM to Midday 6 AM to Midday - 12%- 12%

• Midday to 6 PMMidday to 6 PM - 16%- 16%

• 6 PM to Midnight6 PM to Midnight - 18%- 18%

THE FUTURE OF THE TRIALTHE FUTURE OF THE TRIAL• Data showing that the device is collecting Data showing that the device is collecting

evidence of circadian performance evidence of circadian performance decrementsdecrements

• Warning signals are being presented to Warning signals are being presented to control room to allow for interventioncontrol room to allow for intervention

• Operators have been changing crib breaks Operators have been changing crib breaks and machinery - Much discussionand machinery - Much discussion

• Large database will be developed to answer Large database will be developed to answer industry questionsindustry questions

BENEFITS TO MININGBENEFITS TO MINING• It will save lives and reduce injuriesIt will save lives and reduce injuries

• Reduce costs associated with accidents, Reduce costs associated with accidents, inc damage & down-timeinc damage & down-time

• Data can be used to identify shifts & Data can be used to identify shifts & rosters that place employees ‘at risk’rosters that place employees ‘at risk’

• The device will be a scientifically proven The device will be a scientifically proven and cost-effective solutionand cost-effective solution

WANT MORE INFORMATION?WANT MORE INFORMATION?

Phone: (08) 9227 3000Phone: (08) 9227 3000

Email: nickm@arrb.com.auEmail: nickm@arrb.com.au

Paper availablePaper available