1. Looking for Trouble on Fatigue
Bud Hudspith
Unite National H&S Adviser

2. What is “fatigue”
The issues that arise from excessive working time or poorly designed shift patterns
It is generally considered to be a decline in mental and/or physical performance that results from prolonged exertion, sleep loss and/or disruption of the internal clock
It is also related to workload, in that workers are more easily fatigued if their work is machine-paced, complex or monotonous

3. EU Working Time Directive
gives EU workers at least 4 weeks (28 days) in paid holidays each year
rest breaks at work
rest of at least 11 hours in any 24 hours
restricts excessive night work
a day off after a week's work and
right to work no more than 48 hours a week

4. UK Govt reaction UK Employment Secretary David Hunt
"The UK strongly opposes any attempt to tell people that they can no longer work the hours they want.“
Anti H&S?
since excessive working time is cited as a major cause of stress, depression and illness, the stated purpose of the Directive is to protect people's health and safety.

5. UK HSE on Fatigue Key principles in fatigue
Fatigue needs to be managed, like any other hazard
Incidents greater on night shifts, after a succession of shifts, when shifts are long and when there are inadequate breaks
Changes to working hours need to be risk assessed
Employees should be consulted on working hours and shift patterns. Develop and implement a policy that specifically addresses and sets limits on working hours, overtime and shift-swapping, and which guards against fatigue
Sleep disturbances can lead to a ‘sleep debt’ and fatigue
From HSE website

6. Long Hours and Accidents
Frequent overtime can increase accident risks and so can long hours at work.
For the first 8 or 9 hours in a shift, the accident risk is constant, but after 12 hours, the risk approximately doubles and after 16 hours, it trebles.
Source: Occupational Safety and Health Service New Zealand (1998). ISBN X – quoted by UK HSE

7. Office of Rail Regulation
Fatigue (extreme tiredness) identified as one of the main causes of incidents
Workers become less alert or motivated, make more mistakes or poor decisions
Includes the effects fatigue itself has on the health of the worker
ORR, A Guide to ROGS, Oct 2014 (The Railways and Other Guided Transport Systems (Safety) Regulations 2006)

8. OSHA and fatigue Is there an OSHA standard?
Currently, there is not a specific OSHA Standard for extended or unusual work shifts
What should workers know?
Extended or unusual work shifts may be more stressful physically, mentally, and emotionally. Non-traditional shifts and extended work hours may disrupt the body's regular schedule, leading to increased fatigue, stress, and lack of concentration. These effects lead to an increased risk of operator error, injuries and/or accidents.

9. The Effects of Fatigue
Fatigue results in slower reactions, reduced ability to process information, memory lapses, absent-mindedness, decreased awareness, lack of attention, underestimation of risk, reduced coordination
Fatigue can lead to errors and accidents, ill-health, injury, reduced productivity. It is often a root cause of major accidents e.g. Herald of Free Enterprise, Chernobyl, Texas City, Clapham Junction, Challenger, Exxon Valdez
HSE website

10. Symptoms of Fatigue Insomnia Depression and anxiety Headaches
Confusion
Dizziness
Blurred vision
Unexplained weight loss or gain
Digestive problems

11. Some causes of fatigue Duration of shifts, and shift patterns
Ability to sleep, sleep quailty, and sleeping disorders
Scheduling and quality of rest breaks at work
Commuting time to and from the workplace.
Workload, responsibilities, working environment
Repetitive, monotonous, demanding work
The impact of second or multiple jobs
Stress at work

12. Tackling Fatigue Some points to consider
Reduce working hours and shifts
Rest between shifts
Shifts rotate ‘forwards’ that is, mornings, then afternoons, then nights
Quality rest breaks at work
Contingency plans to avoid overloading one person with overtime or double shifts
Incidents or accidents where fatigue may be responsible are thoroughly investigated