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Australia: Xstrata Coal's Ravensworth mine addresses shift work sleep issues

Studies by Latrobe University and others have suggested that 35% of the Australian workforce and a greater proportion of shift workers have problems sleeping. Sleep-related fatigue is a major factor in safety performance and effective decision making in the workplace.

Shift work

Xstrata Coal's Ravensworth Mine near Singleton began a 12-hour shift system for all production and maintenance personnel in September 2006. The system consists of seven day shifts and seven night shifts in a 28-day period. In October 2006, Ravensworth Mine management team began working with a consultancy, behavioural psychologists and employees to investigate the effect of shift work and sleep-related fatigue on sleep patterns and, subsequently, on health and safety.

Sleeping pattern survey

A voluntary survey of the mine's 110 employees was undertaken, with 100% participation, to gather information on psychometric measures including sleep quality, fatigue, sleep apnoea and depression, anxiety and stress. Participants were also required to keep a three-week sleep diary to record sleep patterns before and after the change to a new shift.

Based on the results, the project team produced a report comparing sleep patterns between an eight-hour shift and a 12-hour shift, and identified high, moderate and low risk employee groups.

Sleep management programme

Using the information gathered, the study team began a programme of targeted intervention with the 15 employees allocated to the high risk group, using a six-module approach which included fatigue management, sleep environment improvement, sleep hygiene, strategies for sleeping well on shift work, relaxation and stress reduction. Each participant received a sleep pack, consisting of a sleep manual, six weekly coaching sets for improving sleep, questionnaires, a sleep diary and CDs promoting relaxation techniques and deep sleep. A sleep coach maintained contact throughout the programme, and reviewed the impact of the programme at the completion of the six-week study.

Lack of awareness

Psychologists noted there was a widespread lack of awareness among workers of the importance of sleeping during the day before commencing the first night shift. Many people would start night shift at 7pm after waking up at 7am or 8am. This meant they would have been awake for about 17 hours halfway through their night shift. Research has shown that after 17 hours of wakefulness, fatigue impairment is comparable to a blood alcohol level of 0.05. Every participant in the survey was made aware of this, resulting in significant changes in sleep patterns. Family issues, including partner support and domestic distraction, emerged as impediments to employees getting satisfactory sleep. The sleep coaches helped families to organise their sleep regime better, and to achieve a better quality of sleep on the 12-hour roster. Complete confidentiality was maintained for all participants.

Power naps

Programme Coordinator Paul Hagarty said Ravensworth encourages employees to have 15 to 20 minute 'power naps' on their 12 hour shift during scheduled breaks. "This helps to reduce fatigue during a shift, particularly during night shifts," he said.

Employee support for the programme

The final results of the study are currently being collated, and will be considered by Ravensworth management team to determine whether to implement further changes to shift patterns and targeted intervention with medium risk employees. The sleep management programme has been well supported by Ravensworth employees and sleep management methodology is now routinely considered when compiling rosters, to reduce fatigue risks.

Production Team Coordinator Andrew Hamson said he had noticed that his energy levels had greatly improved due to the programme: "Previously, by 3am I would have been really tired. However, I haven't felt like that since the third week of the programme – it's really removed that risk," he said.