Software to measure the fatigue risk of shift workers
UCDS partnered with Circadian to offer a software tool that allows customers to measure the fatigue risk of shift workers. This allows management to schedule the right workers during the right shift to reduce the risk of a fatigue related incident.
Press release:
Shift Worker and Fatigue (measuring the Risk)
Operator fatigue is a critical safety issue that cuts across all modes and operations in our industry. Every day, operators and managers must cope with unusual and difficult work schedules and the reality of operator fatigue. Fatigue may produce physical and mental decrements in alertness, vigilance, and decision-making that can increase the risk of human error and result in fatalities and injuries. However, the incidence of fatigue is underestimated in virtually every industry because it is hard to quantify and measure. Recognizing that fatigue management requires major changes in both organizational culture and operator behavior, we are focused on facing these challenges. We bring together the expertise of government, industry, and labor to create solutions to aid in understanding and managing shift worker fatigue. Some experts recommend limiting the number of consecutive working days to five, six or seven days depending on the length of the workday. Some recommend limiting 8-hour shifts to a maximum of seven in a row, and 12-hour shifts to four in a row. Many factors have to be considered, when you’re looking for the best candidate to work overtime or cover a shift and risk factor can be hard to calculate.
• Duration of Working Time
• Time Off Between Shifts
• Time Off Between Blocks of Work Days
• Long Breaks Before Returning To Work
• Duration of Shifts
• Fixed or Rotating Shifts
• Speed and Direction of Rotation
• Start and End of Shifts
Risk factor is very important when creating schedules. That’s why UCDS Incorporated partnered with Circadian, to bring our customers a solution. A tool that can calculate the fatigue score and compare it to other workers, allowing management to staff positions with the most alert and ready to work candidates.
CIRCADIAN®, the leader in Fatigue Risk Management Software and User Centered Design Services now offer the only complete suite of web-based software tools for Fatigue Risk Management Systems. Our Fatigue Risk Management Software provides all three required levels of FRMS control:
Level 1 – COMPLIANCE:
Schedule Compliance Analyzer™
• Determine if a work schedule conforms with “Hours of Service” and “Work-Rest rules”
• Specially tailored versions for RP-755, and other industry and government FRMS standards and “Hours of Work rules”
• Asses scheduling alternatives (e.g., who’s available for OT? Is that shift swap OK?)•
Level 2 – RISK:
Schedule Fatigue Risk Analyzer™
• Instantly determine if a work schedule is creating excessive and costly fatigue risk
• Utilizes Circadian’s scientifically-validated CAS-5 fatigue modeling platform to provide an objective Fatigue Risk Score
• With a fatigue score your schedulers can see not only who could work…but who should work
Level 3 – INVESTIGATION:
Fatigue Accident/Incident Causation Testing System (FACTS™)
• Allows managers to determine if employee fatigue contributed to the causation of an accident/incident or workplace error
• Scientifically-validated tool for incident and accident investigation work
• Store, analyze and benchmark all your fatigue risk data in a secure database
• Capture the true cost and impact fatigue is having on your operation
It’s not just a way to be safer, every FRMS rule or standard requires that you evaluate fatigue risk and take active steps to:
• Track fatigue
• Manage it
• And reduce incidents and errors caused by employee fatigue.
To do this efficiently and effectively requires specially-designed, scientifically-validated, software tools that not only test for work-rest rule compliance (Level 1) but also assess work schedule fatigue risk (Level 2) and evaluate fatigue as a potential cause in incidents and accidents (Level 3).
We can also help educate on fatigue risks and build a FRMS plan through our onsite workshop. To reach a compromise between operational constraints and shift worker productivity, the involvement of both labor and management is essential when developing and implementing a safe productive schedule. Moreover, the participation of a neutral – subject matter expert – has proved extremely beneficial in providing objectivity, technical, and facilitation support, as well as managing the conflicting interests to achieve an acceptable compromise. Management has a substantial opportunity to reduce the costs, risks and liabilities of extended hours operations. When we focus on employee involvement in the shift schedule and implement automated scheduling solutions to assist with the day-to-day management of the schedule, we can reduce fatigue, increase productivity, and contribute to good situation awareness practices.
On another note, API 755: As a result the 2005 BP Texas City incident, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) recommends that you develop a Fatigue Risk Management System (FRMS) that, at a minimum, limits the hours and days of work and contains a methodology for your shift work schedules. We offer a program to that will educate your team on FRMS and fatigue management. We can examine your current schedule practices, interview shift workers, and recommend changes that will reduce the costs, risks and liabilities of extended hours operations. Our workshop includes the development of the Fatigue Risk Management System that is compliant with API 755 and provides guidance on the number of consecutive days that can be worked before a minimum amount of time off is required. This applies to 8, 10 and 12 hour shifts and addresses normal operations, outages and extended shifts.
Contact us today for a software demo.