Guidance on designing schedules and rosters
Guidance on how schedules and rosters should be designed to minimise fatigue:
- a driver should be given at least 24 hours? notice to prepare for a Time Working period of 14 hours or more;
- a solo driver should have the opportunity for at least 7 hours of continuous sleep in a 24 hour period;
- in night shift operations, hours of Active Work should be reduced to reflect the higher crash rate from fatigue between 1 and 6 am;
- minimise irregular or unfamiliar work rosters;
- minimise driving when the solo driver does not have the opportunity for at least 7 hours of continuous, unbroken sleep in a 24 hour period;
- operate flexible schedules to allow for Short Break Time or discretionary sleep;
- minimise very early departures to give drivers the maximum opportunity to sleep in preparation for the trip; and when drivers return from leave, minimise night time schedules and rosters to give drivers time to adapt to working long hours especially at night.
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