Citation

Akerstedt T, Landstrom U. Int. J. Ind. Ergonomics 1998; 21(3-4): 167-178.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1998, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Night work causes severe sleepiness, reduced performance and increased accident risks. This paper reviews possible countermeasures against sleepiness and finds that short (30 min) sleep episodes and caffeine (100-400 mg, but only up to one night's loss of sleep) still are the favorite methods. Noise is a promising method, and increased light, decreased environmental temperature, and increased physical and mental activity have not been systematically investigated yet, but may come to be of use. Relevance to industryFatigue is a growing concern in industry and affects productivity, safety and general health. The present paper provides an overview of some of the more promising and feasible countermeasures that can be applied during work hours. Several of these will probably be in widespread industrial use in the near future.