A Ramadan Reminder

Objective Worldwide statistics suggest that around one-third of all MVA fatalities are related to human fatigue. Fatigue also plays a significant role in the causation of workplace accidents, major incidents and even large-scale manmade disasters. Our objective is to highlight the importance of identifying fatigue symptoms in our daily lives, how to manage them and how to limit the effects.

Outline Fatigue Causes & Symptoms Driver Fatigue Fatigue in the Workplace Fatigue Management

Fatigue Causes & Symptoms Symptoms… Yawning, tired & sore eyes, drowsiness, micro sleep Boredom, restlessness, feeling irritable Poor concentration, slow reactions, boredom Missed road signs, lane control problems on the highway Missed safety alerts, unaware of hazards at work

Fatigue Causes & Symptoms Causes… Shift work, traveling long distances, disrupted biological clock, jetlag Disturbed sleep, quality & quantity of sleep, continuous hours awake Excessive physical activity, mental or cognitive work Physical fitness, ill-health, medication, nutrition, environment, age, family problems

Fatigue Causes & Symptoms Deprived Sleep… …Film Clip

Fatigue Causes & Symptoms Micro Sleep… …Film Clip

Driver Fatigue Driver Fatigue – one-third of all MVA fatalities Driver Fatigue – large percentage serious injury MVA’s leaving many people in wheelchairs or worse Shift workers are six times more likely to have MVA than day workers Sleep-deprived brain – poor judgment, control, attention and visual function

Driver Fatigue [cont] Several nights deprived sleep leads to a 'sleep debt' – when a 'sleep debt' gets too big, the brain eventually goes to sleep involuntarily – the ‘micro sleep’ ‘ Micro sleep’ lasts approximately three to five seconds – can be fatal, main cause of fatigue-related MVA’s Drivers should get off the road when physical signs of fatigue begin

Fatigue in the Workplace Workers on shifts and overtime are significantly more likely to have an accident than day workers Workplace injuries – more than one-third attributable to fatigue Fatigue is a common factor in major incidents and large-scale manmade disasters

Fatigue in the Workplace Fatigue causes slower reaction times and delayed response to emergency situations Fatigue results in reduced vigilance and awareness of safety features Fatigue reduces capacity to process information and slows cognitive thinking

Fatigue Management Limit maximum work hours – avoid regular overtime Break up long journeys – take regular rest periods, don’t drive tired, use public transport or someone else drive Maintain physical fitness & health, healthy diet, limit intake of caffeine Avoid excessive physical activity, mental or cognitive work, especially before going to sleep

Fatigue Management Create optimal sleep environment – quiet bedroom with cool room temperature, no light, consistent bedtime routine, and don’t go to bed hungry Avoid work or worry in bed – one long period of sleep, with consistent wake up time CS target 2008 – review shift working and overtime patterns for Saudi Aramco and contractor workers CS Workplace Wellness Campaign 2008 – improve fitness, monitor health, improve diet and reduce workplace stress

Thank You! Ramadan Mubarak