New Shift work schedule for MQ-1B UAV Crews

As a consultant for design the new shift schedule for UAV crews.  I have researched, studied, analyzed and evaluated information on how rotational shift works. In addition, focused on sustained crew operations & how fatigue degrades, alertness, and pilot’s performance of the crews of the MQ-1 Predator . According with the effect of shift rotations and continue UVA crews operations, the report states:

 “decrements in mood, cognitive and piloting performance, and alertness were observed over the duration of a shift and were prevalent across all shifts and shift rotation schedules. There was a tendency for adverse effects of shift work to be more pronounced on both day and night shifts relative to evening shift and on rapid versus slow shift rotation schedules” (Thompson, 2006).

Furthermore, Kass, from Watching The clock: Boredom and vigilance performance, found crucial impacts of boredom and vigilance on performance. He explains,

“Considering the Prolonged vigilance work generally invokes subjective feelings of boredom and monotony and invariably induces decreased levels of physiologic arousal. Boredom in particular can become apparent within minutes of the onset of a monotonous task and is associated with decrease performance efficiency and increase drowsiness” (Kass, 1992).

Knowing that UAS crews always work multiple rotating different shifts and evaluate fatigue, sleep conditions on pilot performance, cognitive performance, and vigilance performance, boredom, and mood evaluations, the results of this study can be seen in the table 1 (below).

“TABLE 1 - Scores on components of the composite Fatigue scale (CFS)

End of table.” (Kass, 1992)

Analyzing this table, I found out that the day and night shifts show more of degradation in fatigue and performance than the evening shift. I also have observed that rapid shift rotation show less performance in comparison with slow rotations. Continuing in irregular rapid changes in rotation shifts, affects performance and increases the risk for accidents and errors. Based on this research and analysis I have concluded that reducing the circadian disruption will reduce fatigue, increasing crew performance and reducing boredom. I recommend giving the crew one day for every three days of work which will maintain closer intervals of work and rest. I have designed a new shift rotation schedule that will help to mitigate the fatigue of the UAS crews. The new 3-on-1 off, and ninety days shift schedule will help the crews to better adaptation to their shifts with the goal of optimizing operations and reducing the fatigue. Each group will be rotated after every ninety days in one shift and with the sequence of  Day ( 90 days), Evening (90 days), (Night 90 days), and (Evening 90 days), then repeat the cycle. Considering that the UAS crews work 7 days per week and on a yearly basis, this new schedule allows the crew to spend 180 days in the evening shift which has shown better performance and only 90 days in the day shift and 90 days night shifts. The greatest part of this change is that the shifts switch always with the evening shift. The regular day is recommended to start at 7:45 am until 4:00 pm, the evening shift starts at 3:45 pm until 12:00 am, and the night shift starts at 11:45 pm until 8:00 am.  Fifteen minutes to be use for shift’s exchange. I recommend at least two 15 minute flexible break times for every 8 hour period worked. This will help to reduce the boredom and fatigue of the crews.  Actually the shift rotation is rapid and increasing the circadian disruption and therefore increasing fatigue. Also two days off after every six days of work is contributing with the chronic fatigue of the crews, mainly during long and complex missions.

 See the excel sheet new scheduled proposal here:

3 On 1 Off Rotating Shift Schedule

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Team

1-Nov

2-Nov

3-Nov

4-Nov

5-Nov

6-Nov

7-Nov

8-Nov

9-Nov

10-Nov

11-Nov

12-Nov

Team 1

Day

Day

Day

Off

Day

Day

Day

Off

Day

Day

Day

Off

Team 2

Off

Swing

Swing

Swing

Off

Swing

Swing

Swing

Off

Swing

Swing

Swing

Team 3

Night

Off

Night

Night

Night

Off

Night

Night

Night

Off

Night

Night

Team 4

Swing

Swing

Off

Swing

Swing

Swing

Off

Swing

Swing

Swing

Off

Swing

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

13-Nov

14-Nov

15-Nov

16-Nov

17-Nov

18-Nov

19-Nov

20-Nov

21-Nov

22-Nov

23-Nov

24-Nov

Day

Day

Day

Off

Day

Day

Day

Off

Day

Day

Day

Off

Off

Swing

Swing

Swing

Off

Swing

Swing

Swing

Off

Swing

Swing

Swing

Night

Off

Night

Night

Night

Off

Night

Night

Night

Off

Night

Night

Swing

Swing

Off

Swing

Swing

Swing

Off

Swing

Swing

Swing

Off

Swing

Shift

Starts

Ends

Day

7:30AM

4:00PM

Swing

3:30PM

12:00AM

Night

11:30PM

8:00AM

References

Kass, V. S. (1992). Watching The clock: Boredom and vigilance performance.

Thompson, W. T. (2006). Effects of shift Work and Sustained Operations: Operator performance in Remotely Piloted Aircraft . United States Air Force, Performance Enhancement Research Division, San Antonio, TX.