ON-ROAD EVALUATIONS OF A REGULATED HOURS REGIME AND AN ALTERNATIVE COMPLIANCE REGIME

This is the third report in a series looking at the development of better models of work-rest schedules that have demonstrated effectiveness for managing fatigue in order to support the development of alternative compliance approaches to the regulation of working hours. This report describes evaluations of two work-rest schedules: one of a work-rest regime conducted under the current working hours regulations and the other of the first pilot Fatigue Management Program allowed under the Queensland Department of Transport alternative compliance program. This alternative work-rest schedule differed from the regulated regime in that it allowed longer periods of active work without rest (6 hours instead of 5 hours) and allowed the mandatory 6 hours of continuous rest to be taken in two parts instead of one. The results of the regulated hours evaluation showed small increases in fatigue and performance deteriorated over the selected period of work, but comparison with alcohol-equivalent standards suggested that these increases were warning signs rather than major consequences of safety. The results of the alternative work-rest schedule indicated that the balance between work and rest was not entirely compatible with effective fatigue management. Some suggestions were made about how the work-rest schedule might be improved to overcome its problems.