Adverse effects of night shift work on mental and physical fatigue of taxi drivers

抄録

Long hours of work, including night shifts, for taxi drivers are one of the primal risk factors for health and well-being. Many studies indicate that long working hours are associated with the development and exacerbation of cerebrovascular and cardiovascular diseases, and taxi drivers work longer hours than drivers of other transport services. Taxi companies have been emphasizing measures to promote napping as a way to reduce fatigue associated with adverse effects on bodily functions. This paper aimed to examine the influence of naps on fatigue recovery through a questionnaire survey of 126 taxi drivers engaged in night work regarding: (1) the frequency of reported complaints of drowsiness and fatigue while driving, (2) the status and effects of napping in the vehicle during night work, and (3) physical fatigue related to the musculo-skeletal system from a constrained driving posture. The results revealed that it is difficult to take a nap due to the high demand to pick up passengers. The time series variation of drowsiness and fatigue during driving, and the localized physical fatigue to parts of the body related to driving were also discussed. Improvement of resting schedules, including a nap time to reduce task conflicts physically and mentally, was emphasized.