Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
the environment, equip employees with tools that can reduce the
impact of these stimuli like ear protection, sunglasses, or appropriate
clothing.
Do you see room for improvement in this area?
Tip 7: Multitasking
Until recently, there was even a positive connotation connected to
multitasking. Now we know better. A second task disturbs our con-
scious system, which we need for unexpected moments.
If a job consists of a series of separate tasks, do them one by one.
Don
t mix them if not necessary, even if it reduces the total run time.
Explain that doing another job in between, regardless of how small it
looks, should not be done. This creates focus, attention, and good
preparation.
'
There were times that we thought that using the hands-free phone
in cars was okay. In that period, many company cars were ordered
with built-in hands-free systems. Now we know that it is better to
remove them again. Phoning while driving is dangerous.
t allow employees to use the hands-free kit in the car, and
exclude these kits from new lease contracts.
Don
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Tip 8: Alertness and Sleep
Poor sleep (insomnia or obstructive sleep apnea) has a negative effect
on the quality of alertness (Kucharczyk, 2012). In this perspective, it is
alarming that more than a quarter of the working population regularly
suffers from sleeping disturbances due to work problems (worries,
unfinished business, and technical or social problems) (NSWO, 2012).
The same amount of people state they use stimulants for preventing
problems that are related to a shortage of sleep (coffee, energy drinks,
caffeine pills, or drugs), and 3.5 percent acknowledge that they make
mistakes at work or create accidents due to a lack of sleep.
Insomnia can be work related (too much stress) but also can have
medical causes like apnea. A special problem with sufferers from apnea
is that they don
t know they suffer from it. They just mention that
they never awake rested. It should be a concern of employers, and the
quality of sleep should be a fixed item in a medical checkup.
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