| A 24-hour lifestyle has benefits, but it means
less time is available for sleep. To reduce the associated at-work
risks that tiredness brings, the Awake organisation works to
promote well-being and alertness at work |
Awake and Loughborough
Sleep Research Centre Team win
Prince Michael Road Safety Award
In December 2003, the Awake and Loughborough Sleep Research Centre Team (LSRC)
were awarded a Prince Michael of Kent International Road Safety Award. The work
of Awake and LSRC was recognised as having made a significant contribution to
raising public awareness of the dangers of driver tiredness.
Awake’s managing director Dr Paul Jackson said: “The work of the
LSRC has led to changes to the Highway Code, signs on our motorways publicising
the dangers of driving while tired, and the first TV and radio campaigns to
raise awareness of the issue.
“In addition, Awake has turned LSRC’s research findings into practical
solutions for commercial companies wishing to reduce the accident risk of their
drivers. We have worked hard to produce training and materials which convey
the right message in an effective manner, and are delighted that our effor |
We are now living and working in a society that never sleeps:
banking, on-line shopping, supermarkets, petrol stations – most
activities can be conducted around the clock, seven days a week.
Our 24-hour lifestyle has many benefits, but it also means many
of us are working unusual hours and have less time available for
sleep. But few of us appreciate just how important sleep is to
ensure a healthy life. Awake acts as advisor to government and
industry on accident risk arising from impairment due to tiredness,
drugs and alcohol and recommends effective strategies to improve
safety and wellbeing. It employs academics, consultants and police
officers to give a well-rounded understanding and approach to the
issues of impairment caused by sleep deprivation at work and on
the road.
Tiredness impacts negatively upon our general wellbeing:
it impairs performance; promotes mistakes; and leads to
ineffective communication as well as poor decision making.
At least 20% of accidents on major UK roads are due to
tiredness and driver tiredness accounts for 10% of all
fatalities in the UK – that equates to about seven
people a week dying on the roads as a result of driver
tiredness.
Awake's assessments of the tiredness-related risk present
in a workplace generally looks at information collected
from four sources:
1. Discussions with management
2. Employee interviews
to find out how tired they are, how they cope with their
work schedule and whether they are at risk of sleep disorders
3. An environmental assessment looking at the role factors
such as noise, lighting, and canteen and rest facilities
play in workers alertness
4. The objective measurement
of the tiredness associated with current shift schedules
using software based on international scientific research
As a result of a risk assessment, informed decisions
about what types of changes – schedule, organisational
or environmental – can be made to promote well-being
and alertness at work.
For more information, visit: Website: www.awakeltd.info |
