Effects of Sleep Deprivation on Fire Fighters and EMS ... - NAEMT

<strong>Effects</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Sleep</strong> <strong>Deprivation</strong> on Fire Fighters and EMS Responders
against fatigue-related injuries and accidents. They hoped to establish scientifically based
hours-<strong>of</strong>-service regulations. It was an ambitious undertaking, and its disappointing midpoint
report underscores the difficulty in assessing, and by extension, regulating and reforming seafarers’
work. Despite the thoughtful plans, little was accomplished due to unpredictability <strong>of</strong> schedules,
limited on board space and crews’ unwillingness to participate (2007).
2.5a Cardiff Report
Researchers from Cardiff University have been studying seafarer
fatigue for more than five years (Smith, Allen & Wadsworth,
2006). In January 2007, the Cardiff University group published
findings as a report entitled, Adequate Manning and Seafarers’
Fatigue: the International Perspective. They surveyed almost 2000
seafarers, collected diary reports and performed objective testing
on board. In addition to the clear confirmation that fatigue is a
problem, the studies also exposed a tendency <strong>of</strong> many seafarers
to under-record their working hours. Importantly, researchers
also made recommendations for managing fatigue.
The report calls for a holistic approach to maritime fatigue,
encouraging the development <strong>of</strong> an on board safety culture
underpinned by realistic staffing levels and a more robust
approach to regulation. In addition to the general conclusions presented in Table 2.2 (page 27),
certain observations concerning work force reform were felt relevant to seafarers. Inaction
<strong>of</strong>ten appeared to be the consequence <strong>of</strong> misconceptions that reform necessitates excessive
resources. Off-the-shelf health and safety plans generally do not work as well as those that are
workplace specific, and business friendly approaches usually are more effective than harsh
enforcement. However, in high hazard industries, external regulatory pressure may be needed
for compliance.
John Bainbridge, Assistant Secretary <strong>of</strong> the International Transport Workers’ Federation’s Seafarers’
section, said: “This report confirms what we already know. Seafarers are routinely working
excessively long hours, endangering themselves and the marine environment. It’s time to stop
putting seafarers at risk and to learn from the examples <strong>of</strong> best practice in other industries.”
2.5b Coast Guard Program for Crews
The United States Coast Guard developed a Crew Endurance Management (CEM) maritime
program for fatigue (www.uscg.mil/hq/g-m/cems/i) (Comperatore & Rivera, 2003). The use <strong>of</strong>
‘endurance’ in its title reflected the principle that just as a ship’s endurance is determined by
how long it can support operations without replenishing supplies, a crew’s endurance is
determined by their ability to cope with job-related physiological, psychological and
environmental challenges.
This program is research-based and oriented toward vessels with a structured routine (to the
extent that this is achievable in any maritime operation). Its use requires training a local team
<strong>of</strong> fatigue experts, who become the program advocates and fatigue management coaches. It has
three sections. Section I introduces the concept <strong>of</strong> crew endurance management. Section II
provides specific guidance on how to recognize endurance risk factors and the detrimental
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