Visual inspection requires a considerable amount of concentration. Long spells of continuous inspection can be tedious and result in low arousal. An engineer’s low arousal or lack of motivation can contribute to a failure to spot a potential problem or a failure in recognising a defect during visual inspection. The effects are potentially worse when an inspector has a very low expectation of finding a defect, e.g. on a new aircraft. Engineers may find it beneficial to take short breaks between discrete visual inspection tasks, such as at a particular system component, frame, lap joint, etc. This is preferable to pausing midway through an inspection.