21st century business and industry are burdened by a thicket of outdated Federal and State regulations and statutes on Hours of Service, Duty-Rest Rules, Working Time Directives, Extended Work Hours and Overtime, often dating from the early 1900’s when business conditions were very different. Both the science of human fatigue, and the technology of business practices in a 24/7 global economy have advanced considerably, making many of these laws and regulations redundant, so that they add costs and restrict business flexibility, but do little to legitimately promote employee safety, health and welfare.
Even recently introduced regulations may include cumbersome, “one size fits all” rules that do not reflect the operational issues of specific businesses, or the current science of human fatigue. There are often considerable differences between the various types of business and logistics operations within the same industry, but all are governed by the same law or regulation. As a result employees may find themselves faced by the impossible choice of operating either illegally and safe, or legally but unsafe.
How CIRCADIAN can help
CIRCADIAN Expert Services has world-class scientific expertise on human performance and fatigue. We intimately understand the realities of extended hours operations in transportation (road, rail, marine, air) and other 24/7 businesses (utilities, chemical, oil, manufacturing, communications). We have an outstanding track record in North America and Europe. We support:- Consulting and Expert Witness testimony in lawsuits in Federal and State courts
- Appeals and Hearings before administrative tribunals
- Applications for waivers and exemptions from Federal or State Regulations
- Providing testimony in government hearings on Regulatory Reform
- Expert support in mediations and negotiations
- US Congressional Testimony
With the definitive research, and the scientific credibility of the CIRCADIAN team led by former Harvard professor Dr. Martin Moore-Ede, CIRCADIAN has enabled businesses to successfully challenge, influence and shape the regulations and laws that limit them from pursuing safe and cost-effective business practices.
CIRCADIAN’s accomplishments include:
- Reversed an adverse ruling on working hours by Transport Canada which cost the Canadian railways in excess of $300 million per year
- Testified before the US Congressional House and Senate Committees to help block a punitive hours of service statute
- Briefed US Federal government attorneys on the adverse effects of a proposed regulation which they were drafting, which helped exclude costly and impractical regulatory requirements
- Researched aviation routes and crew duty-rest schedules for a major US carrier so as to ensure compliance with duty-rest rules