Swing to Fatigue: Exploring Fatigue and Sleep Health and their Differences Between Regular and Swing Shift Patterns in Oil and Gas Offshore Workers

Abstract

Abstract The objectives of the study were to explore fatigue levels on swing shifts, whereby workers work on day shifts for the first week and roll over to night shifts for the second week, compared to regular shifts; sleep health when workers were off work onshore compared to their time offshore; and the effects of fatigue on performance. The study also identified some of the factors that may cause feelings of fatigue. Mixed-method, self-report surveys collected data on sleep hygiene, sleep health, and fatigue. Three semi-structured interviews were conducted with the workers who were on swing shifts to help understand the impacts of fatigue with three offshore workers. A number of statistical tests and qualitative analysis were carried out. Results obtained from the survey showed experiences of mild fatigue levels and mild severity of fatigue across the workforce. Interviews revealed that workers on swing shifts experienced higher levels of fatigue which impacted their performance via poorer communication, attention, reaction time, and motivation. It was also found that fatigue negatively impacted physical functioning and ability to carry out duties and responsibilities. Importantly, sleep health scores in swing shift workers were significantly worse when they were offshore compared to onshore. Such finding was not observed in workers who operated on regular shifts. Factors such as sleep health, sleep quality, and energy levels negatively correlated with self-reported fatigue levels. In general, present findings supported previous literature which found that swing shift may have caused or increased fatigue levels due to the adaptation process to a different wake-sleep cycle that took days. It was found that swing shift operators experienced worse sleep health when they were offshore compared to onshore. This study identified some of the possible sources and effects of fatigue that can directly inform interventions in terms of subjects for focus.