This research represents one of the first qualitative studies to investigate fatigue in the tunnelling sector of the construction industry. It explores the opinions of tunnellers and their managers about how fatigue influences or is influenced by tunnelling, and how this is managed. Fatigue and sleepiness were discussed in six focus groups with frontline workers (n = 42) and 10 manager interviews. Fatigue was seen to be a problem, with all participants having experienced, or recognised in others, the feeling of sleepiness whilst at work. Fatigue and sleepiness are not commonly discussed between tunnelling workers and they do not feel comfortable reporting instances of fatigue. The research shows that workers in the tunnelling construction sector are exposed to a wide range of occupational factors that potentially increase their vulnerability to fatigue, including the physical environment, repetitive and monotonous tasks, variable shift patterns and manual work. Additionally, personal factors such as social and family demands, long commute times and living away from home, can increase the risk of fatigue. The construction industry in general has gone some way to address fatigue and there is opportunity to further improve fatigue management. However, a major shift is needed before workers will feel able to openly discuss fatigue with their employer.

这项研究是对建筑行业隧道掘进部门疲劳进行调查的首批定性研究之一。它探讨了隧道施工人员及其经理关于疲劳如何影响隧道工程或受隧道工程影响以及如何进行管理的意见。在六个焦点小组中讨论了疲劳和困倦，前线工人（n = 42）和 10 名经理访谈。疲劳被认为是一个问题，所有参与者在工作时都经历过或在其他人身上发现过困倦的感觉。隧道工人之间通常不讨论疲劳和困倦，他们对报告疲劳的情况感到不自在。研究表明，隧道施工部门的工人面临多种职业因素，这些因素可能会增加他们疲劳的风险，包括物理环境、重复和单调的任务、多变的轮班模式和体力劳动。此外，社会和家庭需求、通勤时间长和离家居住等个人因素也会增加疲劳的风险。总体而言，建筑行业已经采取了一些措施来解决疲劳问题，并且有机会进一步改善疲劳管理。但是，在工人感到能够与雇主公开讨论疲劳之前，需要进行重大转变。个人因素，如社会和家庭需求、通勤时间长和离家生活，会增加疲劳的风险。总体而言，建筑行业已经采取了一些措施来解决疲劳问题，并且有机会进一步改善疲劳管理。但是，在工人感到能够与雇主公开讨论疲劳之前，需要进行重大转变。个人因素，如社会和家庭需求、通勤时间长和离家生活，会增加疲劳的风险。总体而言，建筑行业已经采取了一些措施来解决疲劳问题，并且有机会进一步改善疲劳管理。但是，在工人感到能够与雇主公开讨论疲劳之前，需要进行重大转变。