Work environment, overtime and sleep among offshore personnel

Association of job stress, FK506 binding protein 51 (FKBP5) gene polymorphisms and their interaction with sleep disturbance

Background

Sleep disturbance is an outcome of multiple factors including environmental and genetic influences. Job stress, a complex environmental factor, likely affects sleep quality, significantly reducing the quality of life of workers. Additionally, FK506 binding protein 51 (FKBP5) may be a pathogenic factor for sleep disturbance as it regulates hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity, where HPA axis has been found to be involved in the regulation mechanism of sleep and stress response.

Objectives

The main aim of this study was to investigate the association between job stress and FKBP5 gene polymorphism as well as their interaction with sleep disturbance in Chinese workers; to date, these relationships have not been explored.

Methods

This is a cross-sectional study. A total of 675 railway workers (53.8% male) completed a short Effort-Reward Imbalance questionnaire and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. The SNaPshot single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) assay was carried out by screening for FKBP5 SNPs in every participant. Generalized multifactor dimensionality reduction (GMDR) was used to identify the strongest G×E interaction combination.

Results

The findings showed that job stress was significantly associated with sleep disturbance; specifically, scores on the PSQI subscales (sleep disturbance, sleep medication, and daytime dysfunction) exhibited significant differences between the two job stress groups (X² = 18.10, p = 0.01). Additionally, the FKBP5 SNP rs1360780-TT (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 4.98, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.80-8.84) and rs3800373-CC genotype (AOR = 2.06, CI = 1.10-3.86) were associated with an increased risk of sleep disturbance. Job stress and rs1360780 and rs3800373 variants showed a high-dimensional interaction with sleep disturbance as determined by the GMDR model.

Conclusion

The FKBP5 gene may increase susceptibility to job stress and result in sleep disturbance, especially in the presence of negative work-related events. These findings contribute to the field of sleep disturbance prevention and treatment.

US research needs related to fatigue, sleep, and working hours among oil and gas extraction workers

BACKGROUND

During 2003-2013, 1189 US oil and gas extraction (OGE) workers died while working, resulting in an average annual workplace fatality rate seven times that for all US workers. OGE work commonly involves long hours, shiftwork, irregular schedules, and long commutes, but effects of these factors on fatigue, occupational injury, and illness in OGE are largely unknown.

METHODS

A scoping review of relevant OGE research during 2000-2019 was completed and supplemented by input from a NIOSH-sponsored Forum.

RESULTS

Seventy-eight papers were identified; 76% reported only offshore research. Five themes for research needs emerged: build knowledge about the impacts of fatigue; explore interactions between on- and off-the-job risk factors; identify and evaluate interventions; assess effectiveness of technology; and increase the diffusion of fatigue risk management information.

CONCLUSIONS

Further collaboration between researchers and OGE operators and contractors can lead to action-oriented recommendations to mitigate the effects of fatigue, inadequate sleep, and shiftwork.

Effects of Work Stress and Period3 Gene Polymorphism and Their Interaction on Sleep Quality of Non-Manual Workers in Xinjiang, China: A Cross-Sectional Study

Work stress has been found to be associated with sleep quality in various occupational groups, and genetic factors such as variable number tandem repeat polymorphism in the Period3 (Per3) gene also influence the circadian sleep-wake process. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the sleep quality status of non-manual workers in Xinjiang, China and to analyse the effects of work stress and Per3 gene polymorphism and their interaction on sleep quality. A cluster sampling method was used to randomly select 1700 non-manual workers in Urumqi, Xinjiang. The work stress and sleep quality of these workers were evaluated using the Effort−Reward Imbalance Inventory (ERI) and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Next, 20% of the questionnaire respondents were randomly selected for genetic polymorphism analysis. The polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism technique was used to determine Per3 gene polymorphism. The detection rate of sleep quality problems differed between the different work stress groups (p < 0.05), suggesting that non-manual workers with high levels of work stress are more likely to have sleep quality problems. Regression analysis revealed that the Per3 gene (OR = 3.315, 95% CI: 1.672−6.574) was the influencing factor for poor sleep quality after adjusting for confounding factors, such as occupation, length of service, education, and monthly income. Interaction analysis showed that Per34/5,5/5 × high work stress (OR = 2.511, 95% CI: 1.635−3.855) had a higher risk of developing sleep quality problems as compared to Per34/4 × low work stress after adjusting for confounding factors. The structural equation modelling showed no mediating effect between work stress and Per3 gene polymorphism. The results of this study show that both work stress and Per3 gene polymorphism independently affect sleep quality of nonmanual workers from Xinjiang, and the interaction between these two factors may increase the risk of sleep quality problems. Therefore, to improve sleep quality, individuals with genetic susceptibility should avoid or reduce as much as possible self-stimulation by work-related exposures such as high levels of external work stress.

Sleep, Sleepiness, and Fatigue on Board Faroese Fishing Vessels

PURPOSE

Faroese fishers have four times more accidents than workers on land. The aim was to understand fishers' fatigue better and how their work and sleep patterns influenced their sleepiness levels and cognitive performance.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 157 Faroese fishers wore wrist-worn actigraphs at sea and one week on land and filled in sleep and sleepiness diaries during the trip. Furthermore, a 3-minute simple reaction time (SRT) test was completed at the beginning and end of the trip. The ship's movement and noise were also logged. The actiwatch results were analysed with mixed methods repeated measures. The sleepiness registrations and performance on the SRT-test were analysed with paired t-test. The ship movements (Pitch and roll) were divided into approximately three same-sized groups (lowest 1/3, medium 1/3, and highest 1/3) and compared against the Karolinska Sleepiness Scores (KSS ranging from 1-9) ≥7 and physical tiredness (ranging from 1-9) scores ≥7. Chi-square tests were used to determine the significance of these differences. Mean sleepiness scores at sea, and the proportion of sleepiness scores ≥7 were calculated, as well as sleepiness scores as a function of the time of day.

RESULTS

While at sea, fishers had more split sleep, slept less, and had lower sleep efficiency than onshore. Sleepiness was higher at the end of the trip, and cognitive decline was found. The number of major lapses was higher at the end of the trip, but with no significant difference between the median reaction times.

CONCLUSION

The crew on-board the freezer longliner, who worked 8-8 shifts, slept the most, had the longest continuous sleep periods, the highest sleep efficiency, the lowest sleepiness levels, and the highest noise exposure during their time off.

Health and well-being of rotation workers in the mining, offshore oil and gas, and construction industry: a systematic review

Introduction

Rotation work, characterised by travelling long distances to work in isolated areas where workers typically rotate consecutive days working and living on-site with periods at home, is increasingly used in the resources and construction sectors globally. Such employment practices may have an impact on workers’ health and well-being. This systematic review explores the impact rotation work has on mental and physical outcomes in rotation workers in the resources and construction sectors.

Method

The PubMed, Medline, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Scopus databases were systematically searched on 1 May 2020 to identify quantitative, qualitative and mixed-method studies addressing the health of rotation workers published in peer-reviewed journals. Findings from the studies were summarised narratively.

Results

Of 6268 studies retrieved, 90 studies were included in the review. Studies suggested higher prevalence of psychological distress in onshore rotation workers and higher overweight/obesity rates among rotation workers as compared with the general population. We found more sleep problems and higher levels of smoking during work periods compared with off-site days; and higher alcohol intake during off-site days compared with on-site days. Workers generally perceived their physical health status as good. High-perceived job demands (such as workload, repetitive work) were associated with mental distress and exhaustion, sleep problems and perceived poor physical health status, while high-perceived job resources (such as job clarity/control, support) were associated with low mental distress and exhaustion, less smoking and alcohol intake, and better sleep.

Conclusion

Rotation work is associated with several poorer health behaviours and outcomes, such as sleep problems, smoking, alcohol consumption and overweight/obesity. Interventions needed to improve rotation workers’ health should include maximising available job resources and reducing job demands. Further longitudinal studies are needed to explore the long-term health effects of rotation work and the short-term contextual effects of the different aspects of rotation work.

Association of occupational stress, period circadian regulator 3 (PER3) gene polymorphism and their interaction with poor sleep quality

Occupational stress is associated with sleep quality among workers and the human variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) polymorphism of the period circadian regulator 3 (PER3) gene relates to sleep-wake regulation. The main aims of the present study were to examine the effects of PER3 VNTR genotypes, occupational stress, and their interactions on sleep quality. A cross-sectional study was conducted and 729 workers were recruited in Sichuan. Sleep quality were assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Occupational stress was measured using the Generic Job Stress Questionnaire. PER3 genotypes were determined with polymerase chain reaction. High and medium occupational stress were linked to a higher risk of poor sleep quality than low levels. Unconditional logistic regression indicated that PER3 genotype was significantly associated with sleep quality, and an increased risk of poor sleep of >1.5-times was observed in those with the allele 5 compared to allele 4. The 5/5 genotype was associated with both sleep latency and sleep duration. Crossover analysis showed an occupational stress × PER3 interaction. Compared to subjects with both low and medium occupational stress and 4/4 + 4/5 genotype, those with both high occupational stress and 5/5 genotype had a higher risk of poor sleep quality. Stratified logistic analyses found that compared with low and medium occupational stress, high occupational stress increased the risk of poor sleep by more than five-times in 5/5 genotype carriers. Occupational stress and PER3 genotype had both separate and combined effects on poor sleep quality of workers. The results suggest that occupational stress may increase the risk of poor sleep quality through interaction with the PER3 gene polymorphism.

The Physical Work Environment and Sleep: A Latent Class Analysis

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the relationships between the physical work environment and sleep using a person-centered approach.

METHODS

A total of 542 Australian employees aged 18 to 60 years completed a survey assessing exposure to physical work environment stressors (eg, noise, poor air quality, and hazardous manual tasks), sleep timing and sleep quality, and relevant covariates.

RESULTS

Latent class analysis (LCA) revealed three physical work environment classes: Infrequent exposure (51%); Occasional Exposure (31%); and Regular Exposure (18%). LCA also identified four sleep classes: Larks (24%); Typical sleep (43%); Insufficient sleep (20%); and Owls (13%). The Regular Exposure class was significantly associated with the Insufficient Sleep (odds ratio [OR] = 3.15, [1.29, 7.66]) and Owls (OR = 3.47 [1.24, 9.71]) classes.

CONCLUSIONS

The person-centered approach provides important insights into how unique physical work environment experiences are linked with sleep.

Time-of-day and days-on-shift predict increased fatigue over two-week offshore day-shifts

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to investigate the accumulation of fatigue over a two-week offshore period. In particular, the effects of (1) time-of-day and days-on-shift as well as (2) acute and chronic sleep loss on the rate at which fatigue accumulates were investigated.

METHODS

42 day-shift offshore workers were examined. Fatigue was measured using pre- and post-shift scores on the Karolinska Sleepiness Scale (KSS). Total sleep time was measured using actigraphy (Motionwatch8, Camntech). Data was analyzed using a linear mixed model analyses.

RESULTS

Average sleep loss per night was 92 min (95%CI: 89.6-94.0; p < .001). Mean cumulative sleep loss across the study was 21:20hrs (SD = 08:10hrs) over the 14 days. Chronic sleep loss was significantly related to a modest increase in sleepiness (KSS) across the shift (95%CI: 0.01-0.17; p = .020) and in post-shift scores (95%CI:.07-0.19; p < .001). Time-of-day (95%CI: 0.63 to -0.01; p = .042) and days-on-shift (95%CI: 0.03-0.08; p < .001) as well as their interaction (95%CI: 0.08 to -0.00; p = .027) influenced the rate at which fatigue accumulated over a two-week offshore period.

CONCLUSIONS

Pre- and post-shift fatigue accumulate in different ways over the two-week offshore period. The accumulation of post-shift fatigue scores was positively related to successive days-on-shift and chronic sleep loss. Our results suggest that prolonging offshore periods will likely result in elevated fatigue risk. Accumulating fatigue and sleep loss over two-week offshore periods should be considered in fatigue risk management plans and systems.

Sleep quality of offshore wind farm workers in the German exclusive economic zone: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVES

To assess the quality of sleep of employees in the German offshore wind industry and to explore factors associated with poor sleep quality.

DESIGN

Web-based cross-sectional survey.

SETTING

Offshore companies operating in wind farms within the German exclusive economic zone.

PARTICIPANTS

Workers with regular offshore commitments and at least 28 days spent offshore in the past year (n=268).

OUTCOME MEASURES

Sleep quality in the past 4 weeks, troubles falling asleep or sleeping through in the past 4 weeks, differences in sleep quality between offshore deployments and onshore leaves.

RESULTS

Having problems with sleep onset was reported by 9.5% of the respondents. 16.5% reported troubles with maintaining sleep three or more times per week. The overall quality of sleep was rated as very bad by only 1.7% of the participants. 47.9% of the workers reported their quality of sleep to be worse during offshore commitments than when being onshore. Higher levels of exposition to noise, vibrations and poor air quality were associated with sleeping troubles and poorer sleep quality. Sharing the sleep cabin with colleagues was associated with troubles sleeping through. No association was found for working in rotating shifts and for regularity of the offshore commitments.

CONCLUSIONS

Workers in our study showed frequent sleep problems and poorer sleep quality offshore than onshore. Our results indicate that higher degrees of exposure to noise, vibrations and artificial ventilation are associated with poor sleep quality rather than organisational factors such as shift-work and type of working schedule. In view of the high demands of the offshore workplace and the workers' particular recovery needs, addressing sleep disorders should be part of any health and safety management strategy for this workplace.

Fatigue of Chinese railway employees and its influential factors: Structural equation modelling

Fatigue is an identifiable and preventable cause of accidents in transport operations. Regarding the railway sector, incident logs and simulation studies show that employee fatigue leads to lack of alertness, impaired performance, and occurrence of incidents. China has one of the largest rail systems in the world, and Chinese railway employees work under high fatigue risks; therefore, it is important to assess their fatigue level and find the major factors leading to fatigue. We designed a questionnaire that uses Multidimensional Fatigue Instrument (MFI-20), NASA-TLX and subjective rating of work overtime feelings to assess employee fatigue. The contribution of each influential factor of fatigue was analysed using structural equation modelling. In total, 297 employees from the rail maintenance department and 227 employees from the locomotive department returned valid responses. The average scores and standard deviations for the five subscales of MFI-20, namely General Fatigue, Physical Fatigue, Reduced Activity, Reduced Motivation, and Mental Fatigue, were 2.9 (0.8), 2.8 (0.8), 2.5 (0.8), 2.5 (0.7), and 2.4 (0.8) among the rail maintenance employees and 3.5 (0.8), 3.5 (0.7), 3.3 (0.7), 3.0 (0.6), and 3.1 (0.7), respectively, among the locomotive employees. The fatigue of the locomotive employees was influenced by feelings related to working overtime (standardized r = 0.22) and workload (standardized r = 0.27). The work overtime control and physical working environment significantly influenced subjective feelings (standardized r = -0.25 and 0.47, respectively), while improper work/rest rhythms and an adverse physical working environment significantly increased the workload (standardized r = 0.48 and 0.33, respectively).