Operational Risk Management of Fatigue Effects
Abstract
This document describes the authors' first attempt to use a quantitative, applied model of fatigue and well-accepted fatigue countermeasures in the context of operational risk management. To identify fatigue hazards, they listed the known, primary physiological and psychological effects of fatigue. These effects were aligned approximately with the cognitive and physiological tests shown to be sensitive to the fatigued state. The extrapolation of the listed effects to safety-sensitive jobs was explained through examples. Each effect had the potential to cause harm in military operations and, thus, was a hazard. To assess fatigue risks, they used the applied model of fatigue, SAFTE, to quantify the risks associated with five types of fatigue: physical fatigue, circadian effects, acute fatigue, cumulative fatigue, and chronic fatigue. In terms of fatigue control measures, the best fatigue countermeasure is sleep, which is the only countermeasure that provides recovery. It also reduces the probability that fatigue will have an effect on mission safety and, concomitantly, reduces the exposure to fatigue. When adequate sleep cannot be used to counter fatigue, then one must consider the use of "Go" and "No-Go" adjuncts, including schedule adjustments and pharmacological adjuncts. These adjuncts serve to reduce the severity of fatigue effects or the exposure to fatigue-related risk. All controls except sleep should be viewed as "band-aid" approaches, to be used as a last resort when other controls are insufficient and the mission must be accomplished. Recovery sleep will still be necessary after the other controls have been applied to accomplish the mission.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 2005
- Accession Number
- ADA434836
Entities
People
- James C Miller
Organizations
- Air Force Research Laboratory