Use of Circadian Lighting System to improve night shift alertness and performance of NRC Headquarters Operations Officers
- ShiftWork Systems, Cambridge, MA (United States); and others
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission`s (NRC) Headquarters Operations Officers (HOOs) receive and respond to events reported in the nuclear industry on a 24-hour basis. The HOOs have reported reduced alertness on the night shift, leading to a potential deterioration in their on-shift cognitive performance during the early morning hours. For some HOOs, maladaptation to the night shift was also reported to be the principal cause of: (a) reduced alertness during the commute to and from work, (b) poor sleep quality, and (c) personal lifestyle problems. ShiftWork Systems, Inc. (SWS) designed and installed a Circadian Lighting System (CLS) at both the Bethesda and Rockville HOO stations with the goal of facilitating the HOOs physiological adjustment to their night shift schedules. The data indicate the following findings: less subjective fatigue on night shifts; improved night shift alertness and mental performance; higher HOO confidence in their ability to assess event reports; longer, deeper and more restorative day sleep after night duty shifts; swifter adaptation to night work; and a safer commute, particularly for those with extensive drives.
- Research Organization:
- US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), Washington, DC (United States). Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research; Brookhaven National Lab. (BNL), Upton, NY (United States)
- OSTI ID:
- 90926
- Report Number(s):
- NUREG/CP-0140-Vol.1; ON: TI95011672; TRN: 95:005143-0010
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: PBD: Apr 1995; Related Information: Is Part Of Twenty-second water safety information meeting: Proceedings: Volume 1: Plenary session; Advanced instrumentation and control hardware and software; Human factors research; IPE and PRA; Monteleone, S. [comp.] [Brookhaven National Lab., Upton, NY (United States)]; PB: 391 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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