(WICHITA, Kan.) — It's recommended that people get between seven and ten hours of sleep, but not everybody usually gets that much. After the latest report of an air traffic controller falling asleep on the job, the need for more sleep is becoming clearer for doctors.
This latest incident is prompting the FAA to change controller's work schedules.
It happened at the Miami International Airport early Saturday morning. The controller was on a midnight shift, and has been suspended.
The FAA is now prohibiting scheduling practices that most often lead to fatigue on the job. Those changes go into effect Tuesday.
This is the seventh time air traffic controllers were caught sleeping on the job this year.
Doctors say that when someone is sleep deprived, they can't function correctly.
"Your thinking is slowed, as well as your reflexes," says Dr. Greg Faimon of the Galichia Heart Hospital. "Even your motor skills can be effected by poor sleep."
