Research & Insights
Articles
White papers, case studies, articles and event recordings from Third Pillar of Health.
How Transport for London gained organisation-wide visibility of fatigue risk and improved workforce sleep health
Fatigue is one of the biggest hidden risks in any 24/7, safety-critical operation. Transport for London operates one of the world's most complex 24/7 transport networks, where fatigue can have serious safety, performance and wellbeing consequences. With more than 27,000 staff, TfL needed a reliable way to gain organisation-wide insight into fatigue hotspots, worker groups, trends and how best to support its workforce. This case study shows how Third Pillar of Health's Sleep Health Self-Assessment became an integral part of TfL's wider Fatigue Risk Management System whilst also giving staff instant personalised feedback on their sleep health. Read the full case study to see how TfL turned data-led sleep health insight into safer, more resilient operations.
Fatigue in Infrastructure Construction: A Longitudinal Study of HS2 Construction Workers
Between October 2022 and December 2024, Third Pillar of Health undertook a multi-phase longitudinal study on behalf of HS2 Occupational Health and HS2 Innovation, examining fatigue patterns among construction personnel across the High Speed 2 (HS2) project. Central to the study was a purpose-built digital platform that enabled voluntary participants to self-report fatigue levels at multiple time points throughout each shift, generating well over 100,000 data entries across diverse roles, sites, and shift types. The resulting dataset and this report offer insights into how job-related variables interact to influence fatigue risk. This report outlines our methodology, analytical approach, key findings and recommendations with a view to informing targeted interventions for fatigue management strategies and enhanced workforce health outcomes in large-scale infrastructure settings.
Quantifying Fatigue Among Occupational Drivers: A Longitudinal Study
From June 2023 to August 2024, Third Pillar of Health conducted an extensive longitudinal study on behalf of the National Highways Commercial Vehicle Incident Prevention team, focusing on fatigue in individuals who drive for work. Central to the project was a purpose-built web application that enabled participants to submit self-reported fatigue assessments at multiple intervals throughout their shifts. This approach provided a rare, real-time window into how tiredness unfolds across the working day. This report reveals our approach, our insights, and what we discovered about how job roles, schedules, and environments influence fatigue in those who drive for work.
Sleep and fatigue in UK working populations
In this white paper we use research data from our sleep health self-assessment to look at sleep and fatigue in UK workers. Sleep is crucial to all aspects of our physical health, mental health, performance and safety. In particular we look at results across 4 major industries including: transport, construction, policing and services.
The cost of sleeplessness to your business
At the end of 2016 a report from RAND Europe shone a light on the cost of sleeplessness across 5 major OECD countries. In this article we explore the results, why sleeplessness is so widespread, what organisations are currently doing and what more they can do.
5 top interventions to tackle sleep deprivation and fatigue in staff
Sleep deprivation and fatigue is an under-estimated cost to organisations. In this article we explore the top 5 interventions you can introduce to help your staff overcome the debilitating health, safety and productivity effects it can have.
Why should you put Employee Energy at the forefront of your staff health and wellbeing strategy?
Tiredness and fatigue, particularly as a result of sleep deprivation, is now being described as a 'public health epidemic.' In this white paper we use research data to explain the health, safety and cost implications of ignoring the increasingly crucial area of Employee Energy when planning staff health and wellbeing programmes.
Shift Working: The health & performance implication and link to poor sleep
In this white paper we use recent research to comprehensively outline the health & performance implications of shift working, the related costs, the link to poor sleep, potential legal issues and how to build a programme to help shift workers.
How and why should you tackle the growing issues of stress, burnout and sleep deprivation in staff?
Stress and mental ill-health is now the number 1 cause of long-term sickness. Difficult economic times mean increased anxiety and stress around workload, job security and money worries. In this white paper we explain the link between stress, burnout and sleep deprivation using research data.
Drowsy Driving: How and why should your organisation take a more proactive approach to tackling this costly problem?
Depending on which piece of research you read between 20 and 40% of all accidents on the roads are attributable to driver fatigue. Insufficient sleep, poor individual choices, a simple adherence to 'hours of service' legislation, a lack of education and awareness, no understanding of the extent of the problem as well as toxic company cultures all contribute to this serious problem. In this paper we review the extent, costs and examples of drowsy driving.
Examining the need for programmes to counter tiredness and fatigue in safety-critical industries
Barely a week goes by without another story about an accident or near miss due to tiredness and fatigue. When you combine the need for shift working and the problems this poses with widespread sleeplessness across society it is easy to understand why there is a growing need for organisations to tackle this costly problem. In this presentation we examine the need for programmes to tackle tiredness and fatigue in safety-critical industries.
DISCUSSION DOCUMENT: Can the introduction of controlled rest periods (naps) benefit your organisation's bottom line?
In this paper we explore the implications of poor sleep, look at the nutritional & health implications of the measures we adopt to improve alertness and examine whether a programme of controlled rest (nap) really can benefit your organisation.
Audio recording: You are what you sleep. Cambridge University Festival of Ideas.
In October 2017 it was an honour to be part of a panel session "You are what you sleep" at Cambridge University's "Festival of Ideas." There were some really interesting presentations which you can listen to below.
Audio recording: The Importance of Sleep – The Overlooked Ingredient to Business Success?
A little while ago I was part of a panel session in conjunction with Squire Patton Boggs and RAND Europe discussing "the importance of sleep – the overlooked ingredient to business success?" You can listen to the presentation below.
Should companies incorporate sleep in the their health and wellbeing programmes?
"So why does this matter? It is not my intention to go in to depth on this but numerous studies have shown that sleep deprivation can have an immediate adverse effect on our health, alertness and productivity. This can be the case after even one night of poor sleep but is compounded if our poor sleep continues for any period of time."
Should police be allowed to take a power nap while ON DUTY? Officers could be allowed to rest during night shifts to help maintain alertness
"Police should be allowed to catch 40 winks while on duty – and given special 'sleep pods' where they can nod off, say experts. Work time 'sleep breaks' could help reduce fatigue and promote better concentration, according to researchers. Instead of reaching for high sugar, high carb foods to maintain alertness, officers on night shifts could take brief power naps in pods like those used by multinational firms like Google."
Webinar: The importance of sleep to wellbeing - Recording
Sleep together with exercise & nutrition form the three pillars of good health. Poor sleep results in poor health, safety and performance. Why should you incorporate sleep into your wellbeing plans? Watch this recorded webinar to find out.