Working consecutive shifts (and the fatigue that a worker can experience as a consequence of such work)

Working consecutive shifts (and the fatigue that a worker can experience as a consequence of such work) is a subject that many within the global marine cargo handling community are justifiably concerned with. 

No one truly knows the precise impact that working long and arduous hours (without proper rest) has upon the accident experience our industry records each year. At best, we can only surmise that fatigue plays a role in that experience.

It's a tricky (and sometimes political; often economic) issue. And it's an issue that individual ports and nations have both ineffectively addressed and artfully avoided for a very long time.

Will it take some incredible calamity to wake the industry up? Or will it simply continue to meander through the days, months and years with its fingers crossed?

In the U.S., The American Waterways Operators (AWO, the collective voice of the tug and tow boat industry) have recently released a publication entitled "Developing a Fatigue Risk Management Plan." We include a link to that publication below.

While we fully appreciate the substantial differences between the crew of a tugboat and a gang of longshore workers, we also realize that both are comprised of human beings who are afflicted with the same mortal strengths and weaknesses, whatever their occupation.

And while those occupational differences may require some adjustment to the recommendations set out in the AWO's publication, the basic applicability of its content to all workers that are subject to long, consecutive hours remains a matter of record.

to Longshore Safety

Ron Signorino

International Longshoremen's Association Local 20

Ron Signorino

President at The Blueoceana Company, Inc.

https://www.americanwaterways.com/sites/default/files/Fatique%20Risk%20Mgmt%20Guide%202018.pdf?fbclid=IwAR2B5QU1jyAywOVh4O8uAynuNemdiW-SPgqAc2pAw8f5NITRrP854F-Qw5M

One more overtime shift as I really need the money !!!!!! sometimes BUT NOT all of the time.

SON: "Daddy, may I ask you a question?"

DAD: "Yeah sure, what is it?"
SON: "Daddy, how much do you make an hour?"
DAD: "That's none of your business. Why do you ask such a thing?"
SON: "I just want to know. Please tell me, how much do you make an hour?"
DAD: "If you must know, I make £30 an hour."
SON: "Oh! (With his head down).
SON: "Daddy, may I please borrow £15?"
The father was furious.
DAD: "If the only reason you asked that is so you can borrow some money to buy a silly toy or some other nonsense, then you march yourself straight to your room and go to bed. Think about why you are being so selfish. I work hard everyday for such this childish behavior."

The little boy quietly went to his room and shut the door.
The man sat down and started to get even angrier about the little boy's questions. How dare he ask such questions only to get some money?
After about an hour or so, the man had calmed down, and started to think:
Maybe there was something he really needed to buy with that £15 and he really didn't ask for money very often. The man went to the door of the little boy's room and opened the door.

DAD: "Are you asleep, son?"

SON: "No daddy, I'm awake".
DAD: "I've been thinking, maybe I was too hard on you earlier. It's been a long day and I took out my aggravation on you. Here's the £15 you asked for."

The little boy sat straight up, smiling.
SON: "Oh, thank you daddy!"
Then, reaching under his pillow he pulled out some crumpled up notes. The man saw that the boy already had money, started to get angry again. The little boy slowly counted out his money, and then looked up at his father.

DAD: "Why do you want more money if you already have some?"

SON: "Because I didn't have enough, but now I do.

"Daddy, I have £30 now. Can I buy an hour of your time? Please come home early tomorrow. I would like to have dinner with you."
The father was crushed. He put his arms around his little son, and he begged for his forgiveness. It's just a short reminder to all of you working so hard in life. We should not let time slip through our fingers without having spent some time with those who really matter to us, those close to our hearts. Do remember to share that £30 worth of your time with someone you love? If we die tomorrow, the company that we are working for could easily replace us in a matter of days. But the family and friends we leave behind will feel the loss for the rest of their lives. And come to think of it, we pour ourselves more into work than to our family.

Some things are more important.

Think about it.......... as we have all done it.