UAS Shift Work Schedule

Continuous operations require strategic management of all assets in order to maximize efficiency and meet the demands of all assigned missions. Scheduling human resources is one critical component of meeting operational goals that, if done effectively, also addresses risk. Human resource management has direct influe nce on an organization’s ability to operate effectively at a sustained pace for a potentially indefinite duration. The following recommendations are submitted for consideration as a means to optimize current unmanned aircraft system (UAS) operator manning. 

Armed intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) is the primary mission of the medium altitude, long endurance (MALE) UAS squadron examined for this consultation. Current tasking requires uninterrupted, continuous support. The squadron is divided into four teams of operators and has adopted a continuous shift work schedule of six days on and two days off. Concerns over reports of extreme fatigue while conducting operations due to inadequate sleep as a result of current shift scheduling has necessitated a re-examination of UAS operator scheduling. Current rotational shift scheduling is provided for reference in Figure 1. 

Figure 1.Current six on/two off rotating shift schedule. 

Based on examination of the current strategy, two inferences can be made. The first is a daily limit of flight duties, commonly known as crew day. Based on the schedule, the crew day limit is assumed to be 8.5 hours. The second is the need for overlap for crew turnover. This is currently scheduled for 30 minutes of the 8.5-hour crew day. These two assumptions are considered operational requirements. 

In order to address and mitigate cumulative fatigue over six-day work cycles, a more frequent rotation from day to swing, and subsequently to night offers additional rest during each work week. In this schedule team members transition every two days. Shift transitions are scheduled to allow for longer rest periods. An amended schedule reflecting the suggested modifications is provided in Figure 2.  

Figure 2.Amended six on/two off rotating shift schedule.

The strategy is a compromise of the current schedule and what is termed a fast-rotating shift schedule. The central idea behind a fast-rotating shift schedule is to grant personnel more rest between transitions from one shift to another. The concept was tested with positive results in a 2013 study conducted at a BASF production site. The study concluded “having 24 hours off between day and night shifts might be sufficient to recuperate (given two preceding day shifts in their schedules)” (Fischer, Vetter, Oberlinner, Wegener, & Roenneberg, 2016). The study was based on 12-hour shift work. The 24-hour rest period between the schedule shift was noted as the factor allowing for immediate reduction of acute sleep debt, in turn reducing the build-up of cumulative fatigue.  

A forward rotation of each team’s shifts every two days of nearly 24 hours is recommended as a compromise that allows personnel to remain on a six on/two off schedule while granting more recovery time during the work period. At no time during transitions are personnel scheduled with less than 23.5 hours of recovery time. This schedule allows for optimal crew rest periods without the need for adding personnel. 

In conclusion, the modification in scheduling recommended in this consultation is presented as a solution to current cumulative fatigue issues.

References

Fischer, D., Vetter, C., Oberlinner, C., Wegener, S., & Roenneberg, T. (2016). A unique, fast-forwards rotating schedule with 12-h long shifts prevents chronic sleep debt.Chronobiology International, 33(1), 98-107. doi:10.3109/07420528.2015.1113986