How to manage workplace fatigue
Did you know that lack of sleep can make you cranky and slow to react, but it can also put workers’ lives at risk? We know this from countless studies. Less publicized is the role fatigue plays in other types of accidents, especially those at work.
What is fatigue?
Fatigue refers to decreased mental and physical performance resulting from prolonged exercise, lack of sleep, and disrupted body clocks. It can make workers tired, distracted and grumpy.
What Causes Fatigue?
There are many individual causes of fatigue, including staying up late, young children, and medical sleep disorders. However, there are also many work-related factors that employers should consider. One of the main culprits is poorly designed shift work and long working hours, which means workers develop a “sleep debt”. Night shift workers are particularly at risk of fatigue because their daytime sleep is often light, short, and disruptive.
How can I manage risk?
One way to manage the risk of fatigue is to set limits on the number of hours employees can work. This may sound easy, but everyone wants to earn more, so employee compliance is minimal. Therefore, other measures should be considered, such as:
– Fatigue management training program
– Redesigned shift schedule
– Develop an employee fatigue reporting scheme
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