Jonathan Oxer
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Blog > Long work hours and mental impairment
>> Long work hours and mental impairment
Wed, Jun 15th 8:53pm 2005: Misc
Stephen responded to my post about exhaustion with a very good point about the effect of tiredeness on mental capacity. I've heard elsewhere that being awake for 24 hours straight impairs reactions and mental capacity equivalent to a blood alcohol content of 0.10% or somesuch, so it's definitely a pretty serious side effect. Often in the early stages of exhaustion the sufferer isn't even aware of the effect it has on them - no doubt like someone who has had a couple of drinks and still thinks they're fine to drive, and it's only when something goes wrong that it feels like their brain has turned to mush and they can't react fast enough.
You're right Steven: working those sorts of hours is in the past. I still work much longer hours than would be considered normal, but nothing close to what I used to.
Stephen responded to my post about exhaustion with a very good point about the effect of tiredeness on mental capacity. I've heard elsewhere that being awake for 24 hours straight impairs reactions and mental capacity equivalent to a blood alcohol content of 0.10% or somesuch, so it's definitely a pretty serious side effect. Often in the early stages of exhaustion the sufferer isn't even aware of the effect it has on them - no doubt like someone who has had a couple of drinks and still thinks they're fine to drive, and it's only when something goes wrong that it feels like their brain has turned to mush and they can't react fast enough.
You're right Steven: working those sorts of hours is in the past. I still work much longer hours than would be considered normal, but nothing close to what I used to.
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