Fatigue Management in the Northern Territory
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Frequently asked questions
Sleep and rest
1. What is adequate rest?
The amount of rest a person requires varies from individual to individual, and the quality of sleep, and the time at which that sleep is taken is also very important.
The Code of Practice recommends a minimum period of 6 consecutive hours of sleep a night. In addition, a break must allow enough time for drivers to prepare for sleep and return to work. (Note: experts suggest the best quality sleep is taken between 10:00 pm and 6.00 am)
2. What is ‘sleep debt’?
When a driver has had several nights with reduced sleep this is known as ‘sleep debt’. The accumulated effect of a lack of sleep of a number of nights is sleepiness, reduced performance, mood swings, until eventually the need to sleep becomes overwhelming, and the driver could fall asleep at the wheel.
3. How much sleep is needed to overcome sleep debt?
Whilst the minimum recommended sleep may be sufficient for one or two consecutive nights, it is not adequate rest over a longer period. To overcome sleep debt drivers need to have consecutive days with periods of unrestricted rest on a regular basis. The code of practice recommends a minimum of 2 periods of at least 24 hours rest in every 14 days.
4. How many short rest breaks are required?
Short rest breaks do not replace sleep opportunities, although they may break the monotony of the task, and provide an opportunity for the driver to ‘freshen up’. Some research has shown that short breaks are most effective when taken before the driver is very fatigued and when the driver consumes food. Of course, choosing the right food is also important!
Trip schedules should allow that driver to take a short rest break when needed, however, a short rest break after every 5 hours is generally regarded to be a minimum.