Research Assignment: Shift Work Schedule

Gabriel P. Riccio

ASCI 638 Human Factors in Unmanned Systems

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide

7 February 2018 

Research Assignment: Shift Work Schedule

Introduction

            The United States Air Force (USAF) operates Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) around the clock in support of our nation’s defense.  USAF UAS squadrons are required to operate 24 hours a day and 365 days a year in support of “intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance” missions (Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, n.d.).  There are concerns by the MQ-1B Squadron commander that their UAS crews are suffering from inadequate sleep and extreme fatigue while conducting operations.

            A study conducted by the USAF 311^th Human Systems Wing in 2006 evaluated the effects of shift work and prolonged operations on MQ-1 Predator UAS air-crews (Thompson, Lopez, DaLuz, & Caldwell, 2006).  The researchers’ concluded that a high percentage of UAS crews suffer from Shift Work Sleep Disorder (SWSD), increased fatigue, mental and emotional exhaustion, burnout, and a decrement in job performance with reduced alertness (Thompson et al., 2006).

            SWSD is a result of workers whose job requires them to function outside of the normal bodies desire to be asleep and awake (Drake, 2010).  SWSD can severally degrade a person’s ability to effectively function which could result in occupational accidents (Culepper, 2010).  Additionally, SWSD affects a person’s ability to sleep, eat, and increases stress (Culepper, 2010).

            A follow-up study to the 2006 USAF 311^th Human Systems Wing funded by the USAF 311^th Performance Enhancement Directorate examined the results of UAS crewmembers who used a “modified rotational work schedule” (Tvaryanas, Platte, Swigart, Colebank, J., & Miller, 2008).  In this follow up study, it is important to note that the air-crew work schedule was re-designed but not fully implemented due to a lack of personnel and personal work schedule preferences (Tvaryanas et al., 2008).  The results of the re-survey still indicated issues of chronic fatigue, lack of alertness, job-related stress, and exhaustion (Tvaryanas et al., 2008).  Prior to the survey, the researchers expected a decrease in fatigue and its associated complications due to a change in the work rotational schedule from weekly to monthly and one additional day off between shifts (Tvaryanas et al., 2008).  The researchers’ summarized that several factors may have influenced the survey results but the lack of personnel and the inability to fully implement the modified work schedule may have had the largest negative impact on the survey (Tvaryanas et al., 2008).

Current Shift Rotation

            The current shift rotation consists of four teams that work six days on, two days off; then rotate to the next shift.  This schedule is fatiguing and stressing out the crewmembers, which can potentially degrade their performance.  It must be noted that there are two positives that are associated with the current rotation.  Firstly, it is recommended by some researchers that the shift rotate on a morning –evening - night clockwise direction (which this shift currently does) as opposed to night – evening - morning counterclockwise direction (Thorpy, 2010).  Secondly, it is recommended that workers not be scheduled to work shifts greater than twelve hours; the current rotation is less than twelve (Thorpy, 2010).

Recommended Solution

            As stated previously, the current shift rotates in a clockwise direction and shifts are less than twelve hours long; these are two pluses which will be the starting point for a recommended shift schedule with the purpose of improving the reported fatigue issues.  Without giving any consideration to individual situational differences at this time concerning the worker’s ability to adapt to shift work, the DuPont shift rotation is recommended (Tvaryanas et al., 2008).

DuPont 24/7 Shift Rotation

            The “DuPont” work shift schedule rotation will keep the same four teams as in the current rotation but the work day will be based on a twelve-hour shift; this schedule is currently used by many police departments and factories (Business Management Systems, n.d.).  The advantages of a twelve-hour shift with four teams equates to more consecutive time off which should reduce aircrew fatigue.  Under the current rotation the crewmembers only have a maximum of two consecutive days off; under the DuPont rotation crew members get a combination of 1day, 3 days, and seven days off in a 28-day cycle (Business Management Systems, n.d.).  Since the shift rotates from day to night and night to day it avoids the problems associated with a counterclockwise rotation schedule because there is no swing shift.  Additionally, the shifts are no longer than twelve hours which is the recommended number not to exceed (Thorpy, 2010).  The two negative consequences of the DuPont schedule is the four-day consecutive night shift which can also cause fatigue, plus it has been reported that some employees have a difficult time re-adjusting to work after seven days off (Arnold & Itkin LLP, 2015).

Please click on the following link for detailed information on the DuPont work rotation schedule.http://www.bmscentral.com/learn-employee-scheduling/dupont-shift-schedule/

References

Arnold & Itkin LLP. (2015, June 16). 12-hour shift schedules: Pros & cons of the most common schedules [Web log post]. Retrieved from https://www.industrialinjuryattorney.com/Industrial-Accident-Blog/2015/June/12-Hour-Shift-Schedules-Pros-Cons-of-the-Most-Co.aspx

Business Management Systems. (n.d.). DuPont shift schedule | 24/7 Shift Coverage. Retrieved from http://www.bmscentral.com/learn-employee-scheduling/dupont-shift-schedule/

Culepper, L. C. (2010). The social and economic burden of shit-work disorder. Supplement to The Journal of Family Practice, 59(1), S3-S11. Retrieved from http://media.mycme.com/documents/29/culpepper_2010_swd_suppl_7021.pdf

Drake, C. L. (2010). The characterization and pathology of circadian rhythm sleep disorders. Supplement to The Journal of Family Practice, 59(1), S12-S17. Retrieved from http://media.mycme.com/documents/29/culpepper_2010_swd_suppl_7021.pdf

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. (n.d.). 5.4 Research: Shift work schedule. Retrieved from https://erau.instructure.com/courses/73496/assignments/1214117?module_item_id=3890651

Thompson, W. T., Lopez, N., DaLuz, C., & Caldwell, J. L. (2006). Effects of sift work and sustained operations: Operator performance in remotely piloted aircraft (OP-REPAIR) (HSW-PE-BR-TR-2006-0001). United States Air Force 311th Human Systems Wing. Retrieved from website: http://www.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a443145.pdf

Thorpy, M. J. (2010). Managing the patient with shift-work disorder. Supplement to The Journal of Family Practice, 59(1), S24-S31. Retrieved from http://media.mycme.com/documents/29/culpepper_2010_swd_suppl_7021.pdf

Tvaryanas, A. P., Platte, W., Swigart, C., Colebank, J., & Miller, N. L. (2008). A resurvey of shift work-related fatigue in MQ-1 Predator unmanned aircraft crewmembers (NPS-OR-08-001). Monterey, CA: Naval Postgraduate School. Retrieved from http://www.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a477976.pdf