It may seem like a yawn. But all employers and employees need to be awake to the risks of fatigue in the workplace.

Fatigue affects everyone differently, but the effects can result in devastating consequences. It's a particular risk for shift or on-call workers, but can affect anyone who works extended hours or at times that affect healthy sleep patterns. 

It's easy to see how this can be an issue in roles where the work is very physical, such as in construction, mining, warehousing and logistics. But in fact all workplaces need to think about fatigue as a serious work health and safety (WHS) risk, regardless of the industry. 

Going without sleep for 18 hours is the same as having a blood alcohol level of .05 – the legal limit for driving in Australia. As many as 3000 deaths a year have been linked to sleep deprivation, including nearly 400 from industrial accidents or road crashes. 

Need advice on how to address fatigue risk in your WHS policies and procedures? Bayside Group can help. Contact us today. 

Think then of a role that requires an employee to drive long distances to attend meetings off-site (in either their own vehicle or a company car), or if the employee commutes using a vehicle from the company fleet. Employers' WHS duties extend to these scenarios, and so fatigue is a factor that needs to be considered in their WHS plans. 

Workplace injuries have flow-on effect for the injured, their family, friends, colleagues and the community at large, while the economic impacts resonate at a national level. So managing risks to safety at work, including fatigue, truly is everyone's business. Let's have a look at some of the symptoms and causes of fatigue, as well as some considerations for both employers and employees in working to minimise or remove fatigue risk in the workplace. 

Symptoms of fatigue 

The symptoms can vary from person to person. But some typical signs of fatigue include feeling tired even after sleep, and constant yawning. A fatigued person might find themselves nodding off while in a sitting position. They may be more inclined to engage in risky behaviours, and their ability to make sound decisions can become impaired. 

Fatigue can reduce co-ordination, and slow reflexes. It can affect short-term memory and a person's ability to concentrate. It can also cause blurred vision or impaired perception. 

It's easy to see how these things can pose a workplace risk, especially in roles where an employee is required to operate vehicles or heavy machinery. Work safety authorities provide specific guidelines for certain cohorts such as those who work in rail transport or who operate heavy vehicles, as well as more general guidelines for managing fatigue risk. 

Causes of fatigue

Long or irregular hours are common causes, which is why seasonal, night shift and on-call workers all have a higher risk of fatigue. But there are other factors outside of work that might also contribute. 

Consider for example whether workers have second jobs – something that is becoming more common with rising living costs. An employee may also have high-stress family commitments, such as being a carer to a family member, or having a new-born baby in the house. 

There are any number of other personal issues outside of work that might be risk factors for fatigue. Work health and safety plans need to take these into consideration, alongside workplace factors, and find ways to minimise or remove fatigue risk as much as possible. 

Managing fatigue risk: employers 

Anyone who conducts a business or undertaking, which includes employers, has a WHS duty to prevent fatigue. There are a number of practical and common-sense actions that employers can take immediately. 

Reviewing rosters, including for night shift and on-call workers, is a good start. Avoid long working hours, and review if these exceed 50 hours a week. Limit consecutive workdays to six a week, and ensure employees are given enough time between shifts to rest. 

Shortening night shifts (where practical) can reduce the effects of fatigue, as can reviewing job demands to ensure employees are not overloaded. Rosters should also account for long commute times and the impacts these can have in terms of fatigue and general wellbeing. 

As with any WHS issue, management of fatigue risk follows a formula that incudes identifying and assessing risks, controlling risks to the extent that is possible, and regularly reviewing control measures (in consultation with employees) to ensure they’re working as planned. 

Communication is key. Talk to your employees about how your fatigue management plan is going, and to identify any fatigue risks (such as family or other external commitments) that are particular to their circumstances. Ensure all employees are informed about fatigue management and know where to find policies. 

Managing fatigue risk: employees 

Work health and safety is everyone's responsibility. As with any other safety issue, when it comes to fatigue, workers have a duty to take reasonable care for their own safety and health and make sure their acts or omissions don’t adversely affect the health or safety of others. 

Again, there are a number of practical strategies employees can use to keep fatigue at bay. Use your time off wisely, including scheduling regular times for rest and recuperation. Make sure you get enough sleep between shifts and in your time off, and consider letting family and friends know your roster so they can support your sleep patterns. 

If you have long travel times to and from work, consider strategies such as stopping for breaks, using power naps, stopping to stretch your legs, and snacking on fresh fruit and vegetables. Using a hands-free device to talk to loved ones can also help while driving.

Importantly, when you are working, be aware of what can go wrong, and what the consequences of poor decision making will be. Work health and safety requires a collective effort. Don’t ever put yourself or others at risk; always put safety first. 

At Bayside Group we have vast experience managing workplace safety for on-hired employees, and expertise in developing safety management plans. If you would like advice regarding how to address fatigue risk in your WHS policies and procedures, contact us today.