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My new rule to shut down for five minutes every ninety minutes | Crane Operators - Vivisector

My new rule to shut down for five minutes every ninety minutes

I always thought working straight through a shift was just how things were done. My last job had us going non stop, no breaks, for like eight hours straight. One afternoon, I got so zoned out I almost misread a weight chart, and that FREAKED me out. So I made a personal rule to stop the crane and step out for five minutes every hour and a half. I just walk a little, drink water, and look at something other than the controls. Yeah, the ground crew gave me side eye the first few times, thinking I was slacking. But my lifts got way more accurate, and I caught a potential rigging issue last week because my head was clear. That small pause makes a MASSIVE difference in how I operate all day.

4 comments

4 Comments

holly_grant6mo ago

Really? I've never needed scheduled breaks to stay sharp. I just work straight through and get into a flow that way.

lucasw846mo ago

Honestly, I read this article once that said our brains kinda stop taking in new info well after like 90 minutes straight. Getting into a flow is awesome, but I guess for some people the timer just forces a reset before they hit a wall. It might help avoid that foggy feeling later. Maybe it just depends on the person and the kind of work, idk.

derek_gibson6mo ago

Is that really needed for everyone though?

wendy325mo ago

Oh man, this reminds me of my old office job. They made us all take these strict ten minute breaks every hour, like a factory. I spent half the time just watching the clock, annoyed, waiting for the stupid timer to go off so I could stop. It totally killed my focus. Forced breaks just made me grumpy and way less productive. Some manager probably read the same article and decided it was a rule for everyone.