1. Occupational Fatigue

2. Context
Occupational fatigue is a workplace hazard that can lead to harm when it is not identified, assessed and managed appropriately.
The goals of this presentation are to increase your awareness of:
Risks of occupational fatigue
Signs of fatigue
How to control fatigue

3. What is Fatigue?
Fatigue is the state of feeling very tired, weary or sleepy resulting from prolonged mental or physical work, extended periods of stress or anxiety or insufficient sleep.
Occupational fatigue is increased by:
Extended work hours
Dim lighting
High temperatures and noise
Tasks which must be sustained for long periods of time
Work tasks which are long, repetitive, difficult, boring or monotonous
Fatigue can build up over several work days especially if a person is not getting enough sleep between long days.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Servives-Center for Disease Control and Preventio-National Insitute for Occupational Safety and Health-Plain Language About Shiftwork

4. Extended Work Hours can Increase Risk of Fatigue
Extended work shifts may be more stressful physically, mentally, and emotionally leading to increased fatigue and stress on employees
People working in a fatigued state may place themselves and others at risk, most particularly:
When operating machinery and driving vehicles
When performing critical tasks requiring high levels of concentration
Where consequences of errors are serious
Government of Australia-Approved Code of Practice-Working Hours May 2010

5. Fatigue can Reduce: Productivity and performance Communication skills
Attention, vigilance and concentration
Ability to handle stress on the job
Hand-eye coordination
Reaction time - both physical and cognitive
Memory and the ability to recall details
Decision making ability and good judgment
Ability to stay awake while working
One’s own ability to judge their own level of fatigue!
Government of Australia-Approved Code of Practice-Working Hours May 2010

6. Signs and Symptoms of Fatigue:
Persistent
Sleepiness
Changes in mood:
Irritability
Weariness
Giddiness
Complacency
Reduced alertness, lack of concentration and memory
Lack of motivation
Depression
Headaches
Increased errors, sloppiness and uncharacteristic misunderstanding of instructions

7. When persistent signs of fatigue are recognized..
Workers:
Report to your supervisor
Supervisors
If a worker reports to you with symptoms, or
If you recognize a worker displaying symptoms
Let the worker know your observations
If there are immediate medical concerns, advise them to go to first aid
Ask them if there are aspects of their work that are contributing to the symptoms
If the symptoms and causes are obviously fatigue – related, review the options available to control fatigue at the worker level and supervisor level.
Complete the Occupational Fatigue Questionnaire
Document the investigation in your incident recording system.

8. Options for Workers to Control Fatigue
Get more and better sleep, studies suggest 6-8 hours everyday
Sleep Hygiene
Go to bed and wake up at the same time everyday
Use your bed primarily for sleeping (read, watch television and do work elsewhere)
Avoid caffeine, tobacco and alcohol 4-6 hours before bedtime
Caffeine can remain in the body for about 3 to 7 hours and may effect sleep.
Alcohol may shorten the time to fall asleep, but it disrupts later in the night.
Nicotine also can disrupt sleep and reduce total sleep time.
Make the room as quiet and as dark as possible
Reduce stress and anxiety
Maintain communication with family and friends
Participate in recreation, leisure activities and exercise
Seek professional assistance through Occupational Medicine
Maintain a healthy diet
Eat the balance of vegetables, fruit, lean meat, poultry, fish, dairy products, grains and bread recommended by the Canada food guide.
Maintain general physical fitness and good health habits
Take regular and frequent break periods throughout your work shift.
Change positions, move about, and shift concentration
Have nutritious snacks and rehydrate in between meals

9. Options for Supervisors to Control Fatigue
Be able to recognize and monitor employees for signs and symptoms of fatigue
Reinforce signs, symptoms and strategies to reduce fatigue with employees
When possible, tasks that require heavy physical labor or intense concentration should be performed at the beginning of the shift when employees are most alert
Provide opportunities for regular and frequent break periods throughout the work shift
Work tasks should provide a variety of interest and should change throughout the shift
U.S. Department of Health and Human Servives-Center for Disease Control and Prevention-National Insitute for Occupational Safety and Health-Plain Language About Shiftwork

10. Options for Managers to Control Fatigue
Provide opportunities for rest days
Allow rest breaks for employees experiencing fatigue
Provide opportunities for flexible hours
Provide environments which have good lighting, comfortable temperatures and reasonable noise levels
Provide employees with tools to reduce their fatigue, stress and anxiety such as opportunities for recreation and leisure activities, communication with family and friends and healthy food options