MANAGING FITNESS FOR WORK PETER SIMPSON BOYLAN SIMPSON & SIMPSON CORPORATE PSYCHOLOGY SERVICES T (08) / F (08)

FITNESS FOR WORK Being “FIT FOR WORK” means that you are a state that you can perform your duties effectively and in a way that does not threaten your own or other’s safety or health.

THE CAUSES OF IMPAIRMENT Alcohol Medication Psychological factors Stress Illegal drugs Caffeine & nicotine Medical conditions Fatigue IMPAIRMENT

DRUGS AND WORK TRAUMA  24% of patients from industrial / constructions sites were positive for alcohol or other drugs N = 62  56% of patients from a “trade” or “service” area were positive for alcohol or other drugs N = 61 ROYAL ADELAIDE HOSPITAL - TRAUMA STUDY - APRIL 2007

DRUGS & TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENTS  Alcohol %  Cannabis %  Benzodiazepines %  Amphetamines - 6.9%  Opiates - 3.3% (No. admissions = 539) ROYAL ADELAIDE HOSPITAL - TRAUMA STUDY - APRIL 2007

FATIGUE AND ACCIDENTS CRASH TYPEALCOHOLFATIGUE All5%5 - 10% Serious injury20% % Fatality40% %

THE NARROW MARGIN FOR SAFETY

MANAGING FFW - 1 PROACTIVE Minimise causes of impairment (identify & address causes) REACTIVE Minimise consequences of impairment (identify & address risks) IMPAIRMENT ON SITE

MANAGING FFW - 2 Organisational risks solutions IMPAIRMENT Individual Individual risks solutions

SOME FATIGUE EXAMPLES FATIGUE RISK Working at night Obstructive sleep apnoea SOLUTIONS  Roster design  Napping policy  Alertness mgt  Nap before night shift #1  Pre-employment medical  Weight loss

FATIGUE LEVELS SHIFT / ROSTER Night work Hours worked No. consecutive days / nights Rotation Breaks Cycle length No. shift changes WORK CULTURE Work pressure Support for self management Work practises - job rotation - napping NATURE OF WORK Mental load Physical load ENVIRONMENT Temperature Noise Light levels Vibration Humidity Exposures ONSITE SLEEPING ENVIRONMENT Air conditioning Inside toilets Noise Light control INDIVIDUAL CHARACTERISTICS Suitability for night work Age Fitness Chronic illness Sleeping disorders PRIVATE COMMITMENTS Family Social activities Study / other jobs etc SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE Sleep habits Ability to nap AOD use Nutrition Management of stress Preparation for first night shift COMMUTING Daily Start / end cycle

FFW RISKS Pre employment assessments Self management Peer management Supervisor management FFW assessments FFW ACCIDENTS Safe workplace Safe work practices

RANDOM TESTING ON THE ROADS VICWA NT SA ACT NSW TAS QLD

THE STRUCTURE OF SLEEP

ALCOHOL & SLEEP