SAFETY4SEA SEAFiT - Issue 01

► ► ► ► ► When it comes to seafarers, evidence shows that sleep matters to all people onboard. In that matter, ship operators must go above and beyond and take into account the ideal circumstances that will improve seafarers’ quality of sleep following a busy day. Did you know? We naturally feel tired at two different times of the day: 2pm and 2 am We spend about 1/3 of our lives sleeping Working night shifts has about a 25-30% higher risk of injury than working day shifts Adults who sleep fewer than 6 hours a nigh have a 13% higher mortality risk than adults who sleep at least 7 hours Adults who sleep less than 7 hours a day are 30% more likely to be obese than those who sleep for 9 hours or more SLEEPMATTERS FOR PEOPLE ONBOARD Identify the threats Conduct a workplace assessment for good lighting and ventilation. Raise awareness Include training, information and guidance on sleep and recovery. Provide support with external resources Contact health care providers to identify and treat any underlying causes. Ask for feedback Ask people what will help them and adjust the conditions accordingly. Adjust work and rest hours Night workers are particularly at risk of fatigue because their day sleep is often lighter, shorter and more easily disturbed. Encourage reporting Review crew fatigue through sleep diaries. Keep in mind Although the amount of sleep experienced by seafarers during a voyage may stay the same or decrease slightly, there is evidence that sleep quality becomes more disturbed over time as there are more wake bouts and fragmented sleep (MARTHA Project). s e a f i t . s a f e t y 4 s e a . c o m to ensure GOOD SLEEP o n b o a r d