3164.0: Monday, November 13, 2000 - Board 10

Abstract #4801

Using a Maritime Diesel Simulator to Study the Residual Effects of Heavy Drinking on Next-Day Merchant Ship Operation

Jonathan Howland, PH.D., MPH1, Damaris J. Rohsenow, PhD2, Sara J. Minsky, MPH1, and Angela K. Laramie, MPH1. (1) Social & Behavioral Sciences, Boston University School of Public Health, 715 Albany Street, Boston, MA 02118, (2) Brown University

To assess the residual effects of heavy drinking on next-day ship operation performance, we used a randomized trial dosing volunteer engineering cadets (N=18) at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy with either alcohol (.10 gm% BAC) or placebo. Cadets were dosed in the evening, between the hours of 8:30-10:00, after which they slept for 8 hours, arose, and had breakfast. Approximately 8-9 hours following dosing, cadets performed on a NorControl Sulzer RND90 power plant simulator. Simulator scenarios involved diagnosis and remediation of a system failure. The dependent variable was time (seconds) from system failure to reestablish normal operating conditions. On pretest, the undosed performance times for the alcohol and placebo groups were 314.9 and 315.3 seconds, respectively. Under dosed conditions, the posttest scores for the alcohol and placebo groups were 320.8 and 494.3 seconds, respectively. The p-value on posttest scores was <. 10. Blood alcohol levels during simulator performance were essentially zero for all participants. This study indicates that “hangover” effects compromise ship operation performance the day after heavy drinking, even when blood alcohol is not measurable when performance is assessed. The study also demonstrates the value of simulation for conducting rigorous human factors affecting occupational performance.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will be able to: 1. Understand the effects of heavy drinking on next-day ship operation 2. Recognize that heavy drinking can affect next-day performance even when blood alcohol is zero. 3. Understand that current DOT regulations on occupational alcohol use are probably inadequate in light of experimental findings

Keywords: Alcohol, Injury

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

The 128th Annual Meeting of APHA