Scientific studies have shown that most people function best with 8 hours of sle

Question

Scientific studies have shown that most people function best with 8 hours of sleep. Americans continue to sleep less with most showing signs of sleep deprivation in studies done on sleep. Shift workers who have varied time shifts have a higher incidence of heart attacks and early death while sleep deprivation is a major factor in many traffic fatalities.

Should the amount of time truck drivers can drive trucks be monitored?

Should shift workers be required to have schedules that allow them to adjust to time shifts?

How much flexibility should employers have in demanding that their employees work long or varied shifts?

Explanation / Answer

Yes, the amount of time truck drivers can drive trucks should be monitored. Truck drivers do not have a healthy sleeping pattern due to irregular sleep, disrupted sleep and often sleep deprivation. This affects both health of the driver as well as jeopardizes the safety of other drivers on the road. The truck drivers must carefully plan on how to use the ‘Hours of Service’ rules to prevent sleep deprivation.

Shift workers and employees should be allowed flexibility in their resting patterns. These include liberal amounts of rest breaks and shift rotation. The breaks must be frequent and short rather than fewer and long ones. Shift workers must be allowed to redistribute workloads based on their mental alertness.There must be adequate recovery period between two shifts. A longer recovery period must be given after night shifts as it may lead to disruption of circadian pattern of sleeping.

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