The dangers of occupational vigilance: a scoping review

This scoping review systematically mapped the current evidence base for occupational vigilance to identify research gaps and inform future interven­tion development. Vigilance, the ability to sustain attention to detect rare critical events, is essential across numerous occupations, yet perfor­mance typically deteriorates within minutes. Despite extensive laboratory research, occupational applications remain poorly understood, representing a significant gap given safety and productivity implications in contemporary workplaces. Following PRISMA-ScR guidelines, we searched multiple databases for empirical studies examining occupational vigilance. Two reviewers independently conducted screening, with data extracted on study characteristics, measurement approaches, performance outcomes, and moderating factors. Twelve empirical studies spanning military, healthcare, nuclear operations, air traffic con­trol, and aquatic safety sectors were identified. Consistent vigilance decrements emerged across contexts, with performance deterioration occurring within 5–15 min and substantial effect sizes (often η²ₚ > 0.7). Individual differences, par­ticularly expertise and working memory capacity, significantly moderated out­comes. The evidence base remains narrow, concentrated in safety-critical domains, and relies heavily on laboratory simulations. Occupational vigilance research demonstrates robust decrements across diverse contexts, but critical gaps exist in understanding vigilance demands in emerging work environments, effective intervention strategies, and long-term vigilance requirements.