Fatigue in Highway Construction Workers

Abstract

This paper describes findings from a field study conducted during the first phase of a 3-year project sponsored by the SHRP 2 Renewal Program that investigated the problem of worker and manager fatigue on highway construction sites that use rapid renewal practices. The field study included interviews with 20 subject matter experts, contractors, and state departments of transportation representatives, and a survey of 47 employees measuring work and sleep schedules, attitudes about fatigue, fatigue levels, and fatigue countermeasures employed. Worker and manager fatigue was found to be a problem on highway construction sites that was exacerbated by accelerated construction practices such as night work and weekend closures. This problem was widely acknowledged by both management and labor. Methods for dealing with fatigue were found to be informal, and there was wide variability in attitudes about fatigue. Fatigue countermeasures relevant to highway construction have been studied in other contexts and are already practiced in other industries. Therefore, a set of specific fatigue countermeasures, targeted at the rapid renewal environment, could be developed. The set would be comprised of management interventions (e.g., fatigue training, work scheduling aids, incident reporting and review) and individual interventions (e.g., sleep hygiene, napping, use of caffeine). An integrated fatigue risk management program for rapid renewal projects would include (a) work scheduling and work practice guidance based on the science of fatigue, (b) organizational practice guidance, (c) fatigue management reference materials, (d) training materials for managers and workers, and (e) outreach materials for raising awareness.